'Akedah

My legs sink deep—
up to my thighs.
I struggle on
through heavy snow.

My arms full of wood.
I slip and almost fall.
But I catch myself—
my legs wide askance.

And I hear the
whispering
of a steady
falling snow.

Each flake
makes a silent sound
gathering and binding
they form.

Whisking
along the outstretched
needles of the pine trees
they fall

to my tall black boots.
They land
on my bare head
and cling to my
frozen hair.

They call to me
as I step inside
But I drop the wood—
I step back

to the white glow
of winter night.
Arms outstretched
I reach for that
binding

and long to be known.