the only “snow” i have seen this year. the leaves cling, withered, to the tree. they are heavy and tired, despite weighing next to nothing. you see, the snow hasn’t come to help them let go. leaves are nervous things. they quake and shiver in the wind. these are not god’s bravest creations. the leaves need the snow - dancing and pointy - to convince them that they have done enough. their tree will live on without them. the arthropods need shelter from the mountain. chickadees