from the valley floor 
i watch as the first 
green-gold rays 
a hint of glory to come 
burst victoriously from 
behind blue mountains 
capped with blinding white 

in the distance 
dim and barely heard 
the crow of a rooster 
lowing of cattle 
snowbirds begin 
their daily hunt 
searching for seeds 
berries to break nights fast 
overhead eagle wheels 
silent in brightening sky 
the clouds now rosey 
with morning 
eyes focused on the river 
hoping to spot the first 
seabound salmon 
coyote barks her last 
song of night 
gathers her brood 
and sleeps 
horse whickers and blows 
stamps hooves 
on crystalline snow 
breath clouds of steam 
which freeze, sparkle falling 
quail thunder 
from beneath sage 
escaping, threatened 
by my proximity 
elk grazing nearby 
in oatfields unconcerned 
know, today, 
i do not hunt 
daybreak breeze 
whispers through naked 
branches of spring trees 
sends them trembling 
as with cold 
scatters powder snow 
from evergreens 

reminds me 
i walk alone 
but not Alone... 
i sing a song 
of renewal, worship 
and dream 
of a cup 
of cocoa 

and home