The more I listen to snow
the more I know of love, of
winter’s gift and the kindness
that cold brings to the forest.
To be a guest on this ridge
and angle my angle down.
To praise the fire that blazed
this chute, honor it and know
what the mountain is giving
away what I am giving
away to ride the surface
of calm, to carve my whole name.
Am I related to the snow
or to wind that crusts the slope?
When I know what the mountain
has in mind for me, I will
know how giving has gifted breath
and breath has blessed my being.
