The last white dahlia
 
has bloomed, its petals falling
 
to the earth like snow.

 
 

My mounting desire:
 
to climb the summer mountains
 
before the first snow.

 
 
 

Snowy with blossoms,
 
the grapefruit orchard shivers
 
as the wind kicks up.

 

 
 
 

Winter afternoon—
 
smoke rising from a chimney
 
scents the falling snow.

 
 
 

First snow of the month—
 
I keep my eyes on the path,
 
but it disappears.

 
 
 

Four days past Christmas
 
some California mountains
 
wear new coats of snow.

 
 
 

Summer afternoon—
 
near the red fence white roses
 
drop petals like snow.

 
 
 

It is hard to pray
 
when my plum tree is groaning
 
because of the snow.

 
 
 

Midwinter morning—
 
I bow before the plum tree
 
now covered with snow.

 
 
 

First week of winter—
 
the path to the rose garden
 
is dusted with snow.