Kingdom of Earth

Now it storms, snow
falling, melting
into the cracks and
crusts of the Earth,
building a kingdom
This room will be the palace.

The mouse scurries from
the falling flakes, cold
against her nose.
She plunges into her home,
digging a throne
for her slumber.

Coming home empty-pawed,
the barn cat will curl
beneath the gentle tongues
of fire, thankful
for a new season when he
can rest. Royally.

The storm will end soon and
the sun will come.
A blackbird will sit
atop a drift of snow,
tail feathers bobbing. A ruler
of the world.

Poetry and photography by Hazel J. Hall.