steady tread of a lone coyote

along the shoreline   purposeful

a winter's day   

almost silent   barest of breeze

whispers

through bare branches

thoughts abound

cold seeps through gloves

and hat and boots

jacket and vest and woolen shirt

thoughts ill-suited to this winter scene

but there nonetheless

discordant   unnatural   of the wider world

beyond this pond and these woods

all is not well   and i wonder if i am well

if so   why these dark thoughts