the snow has all melted

leaving the earth bare 

sprinkled with the last remaining

fallen leaves

now curled and dry

on their path

and ready to continue

to decompose 

and become

part of the earth again

–

the snow has all melted

except for one small stubborn patch

a narrow strip of white

laying open to the sun 

on an unshaded space of ground

resting unexpectedly

in the warmth pouring down upon it

yet clinging to the cold

it holds inside

the cold it needs 

to remain snow

and not evolve into water 

that will melt into the earth

–

which am I?

a leaf that lets go 

and embraces the path 

of impermanence

or the snow 

that fights that truth

and in doing so 

remains frozen and cold

–

all is 

imperfect

impermanent

and incomplete

and there is warmth

and beauty 

in that truth