hard knees keep
a respect for the ice
the season of time
leafs unyielding piles
viscoelastic limits tried
visible lines find
feet in behind and in front
short cuts on crystals took us
succor works progress
prolific once scatters
crumbs of the land
hands on branches
brandish upright flags
flat layers through which
with long ago practice
now make my descent
the afternoon the rain
sitting in the silent chair
listening to wind
alternate
between amongst
the leafs and nets
tapping the glass
keeping a sort of time
as a reminder
colors green to gold to gone
we left the dock an hour ago
looking for answers as to
where the muskellunge
keep their comfort
in the deep
and if it wasn't
them then
pike as well
and if not when