At Emerald Pools

 In January
 South Yuba twists
 Sideways through polished
 Slate canyon
 Making its escape
 Long ago having stolen 
 River upstream
 
 Heedless
 Of theft and transgression
 Translucent white mistletoe fruits
 Festoon oak branches
 Down the steep ledges to pools
 Golden-capped acorns lie in clusters
 Radiant in sharp sun
 While Ice
 Draws patterns
 In small hollows above the falls
 
 Close-mouthed 
 Wordless sky
 Will not give witness
 And sings only
 Of drought.
 

 12 January 2014
 Emerald Pools
South Yuba River
4500'