Snake Pass

the ceiling is a duotone
of whitesmoke sky
and olivedrab pines.
christmas is four days away.
she has to wear her wool coat
with the white fur collar,
hold his hand to keep from
slipping on glass hills.
they're being driven
through wonderland
a reservoir below where
still herons count cracks in the glass.
tonight the wardrobe window leads out
into a matchstick world of wild birches
and woodland creatures.
the contrast between day and night
not so great as the fog rolls
down from the sheep hills through the pines.
through backwaters, laplands
he travels with her, together.