Snowfall For Cigeng

Today the snow fell for hours across southern Minnesota. And it did not hesitate for even a moment until everything was covered in thick, pure white flakes. Oh, how close Heaven seemed as that snow closed the gap between earth and sky! Through it I walked three-legged like the third figure in the riddle the Sphinx posed to bold Oedipus, my cane steadying my steps as it discovered buried links of a vanished pathway. I must trust so many things: the ground's firm base, the mild air, the intelligence of a mere mortal, the sky looming over me, with an alien beauty I try to comprehend. And I know, you too see the alien sky of winter, and it comforts me beyond language to know this. There is no fear inside me nor is there any inside you, even if a new Sphinx posed a new riddle.