Shadows on the Ice

Sun slides behind jagged canyon edge
bathing me in semi-darkness
your hands shake

tying flies with thread
not thread
smaller
shaking

the cool breeze, cold growing
palm out going down into the transparent cold
like ice
water

the luminescent minutia of this wrap of thread and bead
send it down
probe

autumn’s rocks
always autumn looking at the rocks
though ice in shelves creeps from the dying dried grass
whisper, cackle
see the water seep, probe

reaching down to feel a river’s soul
twilight’s gates close
metallic clasp to an evening of pretending
just standing ankle deep and casting

casting more than caring about a catch
feel the rod flex and feel the power snap forward
a smooth jump, bump the line falling and back again
no light to catch, just gray

and a little extra on the side
four fish found and lost
or returned
merely stumbled upon

the sun slipped on a sheet of ice tonight
and shadowy stags rose slowly through the mist of last’s years seed
antlers wide, inviting
curious glances at headlights in the dark
snaking away
into the uncertain certainty governed by age.