A few red berries glow
on winter branches
set off by snow 

Green-black trees
tower conical
spires rising
into sky 

Conifers are bowed
by thick mantles
or caps of snow
become fantastical creatures
rounded or bent
beaked or hooded
gnome- dwarf- human- or giant-sized
Moomintroll-
Hemulen-
Fillyjonk-
or tiny Hattifattener-shaped 

Here and there yellow golden
beech pennants beckon
copper oak flags
sway and rustle lightly
leafy currency amid barren branches
well worth attention
in the fabric of the moment
as the Widow Wyile glides by
sporting her red ski jacket
with glee and invincibility
à la Little My
thrilling through snow laden tree tunnels
of spruce   hemlock   and pine
natural antennas communicating on high 

She travels solo yet carries
her whole family along
in movement and memory
so the decades collapse
here and there
now and then
as she wends along woods’ trails
in rhythmic diagonal stride
either coasting on her father’s erstwhile
midnight black classic skis
with speed stripes neon yellow
or depending on the weather and wax
on her red Lillehammer vintage Madshus
with golden fleetness filaments 

She travels with her brother’s black
fanny pack full
of winter essentials
wax   cork   tea   extra layers
space blanket   snacks   scraper
her mother’s snowflake hat
with small pompom bouncing
in undulating one or two kick
with a doop-de-doop
forward pole swoop
‘cause this is not a race
double-pole sections 

She stops every now and again
to breathe and take it all in
marvelling at the serenity
of snow on branches
or scintillating ice crystals
catching her eye
wondering about uninhabited
destination cabins wherein
grandmas could be resting

She crosses marshes
threads her way through brush
over and around fallen trees
slowing yet vital
connectors of loops sections
notes paw and hoof tracks
snow snufflings and animal traces
and sometimes crosses a
two-legged wolf
saying only hello
wonderful day
while thinking
I must be on my way

The winter woodland
is a natural balm
allowing travels
in story   space   and time

With gratitude for Tove Janson’s wonderful imagination and enduring witty artwork!