first freeze and
one hundred apples fell to the ground
where, day after day, they lay
threatening to decompose.
my ever-ready guilt arose,
wasteful to have left them there.
cold wind and
one hundred birds landed in my yard
where, day after day, they fed
threatening to become engorged.
my amazement swelled,
nature’s mysterious balance to witness.
kindred soul and
one hundred blessings closed in on my heart
where, day after day, they warmed
threatening to meltdown.
my wonderment persisted,
halting questioned worthiness.
quiet storm and
one hundred snowflakes settled in my mind
where, day after day, they remained
threatening to conceal.
my life emerged,
responding to your friendship.