On the first day of Christmas
I stayed indoors.
Ate too much
and played the games,
while it was snowing horizontally
in the storm from northern seas.
On the second day,
shining curtains,
sunshine on icicles!
I made fresh tracks.
Past the forest.
where we cut the Christmas tree.
Across the marsh.
Up steep hills.
A grouse quickly parted
from its hiding place
behind the rock
next to the frozen creek.
On the third day
I climbed the final steps
into a white world
with a jagged edge.
Down again I glided.
Faster than the wind
towards the center of the plateau.
A raven cried.
The sun had gone
Then I heard the silence.
From peak to peak
Above this crest of snow and ice
covering a heart of fire,
the rising moon began to dance
to a long forgotten lore.
I heard a welcome whispered in my ear:
‘Because you came alone,
expecting nothing,
we let you enter this room. ‘
‘It has no roof, no walls, no floor.
Do you remember?
You have been here before.’
The challenge of the slopes,
a hot supper and a bed.
Was no longer a reward.
Still I could not stay.
I slowly turned
and walked away.
