two wolves then six

a black river

and a small herd

of blue sheep

crossing mountains

in the depth of winter

miles from cities

miles from a warm bath

sitting in a cloud tent

sitting in the wind

sitting with a Lama

perched like a moment

on a thin rock shelf

at 17,000 feet

with prayer flags by my shoulder

watching the air

breathe

watching time

watching myself disappear

smiling in the shadows

laughing in the sunshine

then two wolves

then six

black tails

with specks of white

like snow flakes

and deep drifts

that close the high alpine passes.