Renewal

Stuck in the air yesterday

was the sour musk

of august;

heavy scents

of sunbaked green

and spoiled fruit.

Even autumn

couldn't dislodge it,

when it kicked up sweet

earthy leaves with the wind.

Last night a frost fell

and coaxed the vapors down,

finally

delivered to the soil.

At first light, the breath we drew

was crisp and cleansing sharp.

I pressed my palm

to the quartz powder ground,

the melt tickling

as drops collected

on parched

fingertips.

Underneath, a hint of evergreen

in a field of lace.

The afternoon smudged it

all away

but the frost had done its job.

Tonight I'll dream

of the smells of Pine

and water running over ice.