zoey and samuel are expecting

and that is happy news   but it has been

one tough winter   the passes

are snowed in   and though the sheep

are in their winter valley   out of

the worst of it   checking them

is nigh-on impossible   thelonious

plows through drifts up to his noble belly

amos' boots leave drag marks

in the snow   and cold   oh how it is cold

and what is to stop a coyote from its lambchop   

a bullet from amos' gun   that is what

no complaints   this is the life they asked for   

and joy is due next summer