a locust in winter

she gave birth to new thoughts
under the restless northern lights,

each shift of shape and color
spelling the names of other places
and affirmations.


she moves

climbs from peak to peak
to follow the moon across the sky.

she hides fallen stars
and promises
in silver sleigh bells
and plants them in the snow

thinking
something might come of this
in the spring.


she moves

daringly

tiptoe-ing across tightropes
pulled tensely between treetops
in pursuit of the magpie
with citrine eyes.


the scent of morning
falls on four-leaf clovers

and
she moves

beyond herself
to return to her self

with new thoughts.