piercing the sky

 elongated, fluttering arrow point

after arrow point nearly-continuous

flying south in the hundreds

now that western Oregon is convinced

that snow, sleet and ice will soon

overtake this so-far-mild winter

struggles needless

as animals, we find ways to ease

our burdens and conserve strength

double registry of wolf prints in snow

where hind foot slips into ready-made

print of its forepaw

or Canada geese fly in vee formation

so only one need take on full force

of the air currents we cannot see but

they must fight—and he is spelled

by another from the flock when tired

cooperation helps us all, yet we humans seem to need to learn that lesson

again and again