chopping wood for winter

anxious for a fire.

i chop

wood all afternoon

in the back yard.

the axe swings with ease.

i feel the strike

of the blade against each

fallen limb.

the clean cut

and fall of the lumber

as i stack it near the door.

there will be fire

this winter.

there will be snow and cold,

there will

be love too.

i can assure you of that.

i make a vow,

then raise the axe and swing,

i chop some more.