Calls across water, cracking glacial air as frost-gripped shed leaf unfurls. Tracks on soil, leading into dusted woods where brambles form archways into winter.

Eyes move beyond bracken, soft and warm under steamy breath. Standing put, saving strength, danger neglected wrapped in elemental quiet. We are together on our own, each on a crossing path. Sharing stillness.

Small birds chirp and scatter, softest wing lit by sun, crossing the forest above. Covers shed, the stage is bare, and so we meet again.

As day is leaving, sun’s palette is rinsed and pigments flood sky, water and ground to colour nightly dreams.