late season snow

late season snow 
a fistful of salt

should take care of the front steps

a shovel, back and shoulders

has before it the driveway 

the sun

can handle 

the roof on its own
bulbs under it all sleep the sleep

I envy

slumbering in beautiful stasis 

waking only when

spring whispers the signal
(c) 2016 Fred Whitehead 

not today

not today
the first thing is to

check the obituaries
if I find I am not listed

in this log of celebrated travelers

then I suppose 

I will get on with my day
proof of life in the form of omission

and a distinct lack

of angelic harmonizing

as I make my entrance 

onto the cold stage of morning 

car keys in one hand

coffee in the other
(c) 2016 Fred Whitehead 

feathers

feathers
the energy involved for

collision or melding is the same

only the application differs
intricate weavings of meaning aside

perhaps we came away with some

semblance of recompense
there it is
a feather

best left

undisturbed
(c) 2016 Fred Whitehead