Firewood

All day in the woods,

cutting oak and cherry into cord lengths

to be split and stacked against the winter.

It was cold this morning,

fingers and toes numbing up,

but warmth came from inside out,

from work and deep enjoyment

of the world.

Lugging logs out of the woods,

until, at twilight,

the last is dropped with a thump.

Gathering tools and heading home,

stopping for a moment,

listening,

Snowflakes falling on dry leaves.