A Sensorium: Winter Cheeks

And talk about how spruce and earth are useful,

And wool sweaters splashed in dye blue-red are

Warm and bring smiling fingertips

And sensuous eyes that touch cheeks

Of a December walk among the woods

On red rocks next to blue chilled lakes

And iced trees and mountains and flesh

And whispers and a dance of minds

Graced of windy speed,

To any other eyes, which is why smiles and

Down-turned cheeks flicker in a companionful

Necessity of wholeness, said the mouse,

Who indeed was of light cheeks

While lounging on the red wool which

Belonged once on the wrists of a

Beautiful woman.

T. J. M. [1991]