Day 20 - 2.15.2013

Prompt for: February 15, 2013
Subject or Theme: Nature Walk (through a park, the woods, the mountains, etc.)
Word(s) to Include:gusto
Forbidden Word(s): the, a/an (yes, the words "the" and the word "a" (or "an"))
Additional Parameters: This is an exercise in the value of descriptive words. Minimum 80 words total (no line requirements).

Poetigraphs: Afternoon Ramble

Black-capped chickadee warbles his winter tune
perched atop weathered fencepost
between path and pincushion field
where old cornstalks needle
up through melting snow.

White Bichon with muddy-boot paws
investigates ice-edged puddles,
scrunched-over yellow wintergrass,
before nosing, sniff by scent,
entire length of hollow log.

February wind, sighing with gusto,
arcs icy fingers to pluck cap from my head,
send it cartwheeling madly,
‘til it is captured by rogue nail on fencepost
and hanging there, looks like it belongs.

Overhead, geese arrow: black on gold-tinged clouds.
Evening sun slants, casting golden shadows
across muddy footprints. Cold fingers curl into sleeves.
We are both rambled out. Hunched
against ever cooling air, we hurry home.