Reflection

Seeking respite from a biting wind I step inside
      this place of winter spiced air and spindled light,
a natural chapel where some large creature has
     sheltered, safely undiscovered.

On flattened grass I sit me down, warm enough,
     content to rest beneath arched roof and windows
in this sentient holy place, silent in whispering stillness,
     aware of the cantor and my own response.

Clear water in a shallow grassy basin, thinly edged with snow,
    reflects upon its silvered face moving patterns of twig and sky
and willingly recieves the dipping of my ungloved hands
     into its tingling depths, granting the blessing.

A solitary back-capped bird flits from branch to branch
     nearly weightless, but for his song as he
makes his way into this sacred space as well
      to join as my companion on retreat.