January Trees, Lake George

by Francesca J. Sidoti

Ice reflects an amber fire 

friends in a photo 

pine next to willow 

rooted in winter 

in summer 

cooling the celadon 

of each other 

filtering air and light 

of tropospheres 

recall the first trees

374 million years ago,

wrapping around to now,

family arms 

jacket-clad,

fronds side by side,

savor respite in unity of leaves 

forming safe shade from torching sun 

in heat waves, catch snow 

and frozen glaze to brace February  

reminding that we live, 

fiber of cells, 

our folia, co-constructed

cut down or diverging my leaves 

and yours twine 

to coax a canopy 

forest habitats unbroken 

faces in a photo 

reach the January lodge

laugh silently through cold lakes

hands and smiles folding 

terminal and lateral 

branches overtaken 

burnished with flaws

in woodworkers’ seasonal frames

~

Francesca J. Sidoti is a writer in Albany, NY.