Winter Skyline Over Fairview Park

The trees toss their wet black hair,
Braids and squirrels' nests
Upthrust in an absence
Of wind, frozen into wood
From twig to scalp, from ends to roots.

Such an intricate chaos, woven
Inches a year across the cold white sky,
Until the manes of the oaks tangle
With the maples, and shelter
The loam that sleeps beneath their tresses.