Never More Lovely

Missouri River with a briskness that raises my hair Sprinkling of snow, but nothing frozen yet I take a deep whiff of woodsy gladness, Feeling more in touch with God than ever The earth world has never been this lovely Angels and faeries are not far behind; I sense them Hear a leaf crunch, a twig snap Look up to see a deer, a doe She stands and stares at me Gives that famous deer cough I briefly see her white tail as she hops over a fallen log Silence now. Not even a bird noise. An ethereal quiet. I stand still, waiting for a miracle The air tells me it is already here