Alexander Dickow

Ice Storm at Freezeout Ridge, circa 1988

And we arose

Always more highly up

Evermore more lifting

Atop the climb beyond

As far until the sinking undermost clouds

Would loom toward downward

And mountainous lofty mass

Surrounds around.

The thunder

Gradual accumulating occurred

Till once the building up storm

Had went at full sway and begun

At last we completely reached

Upon Freezeout Ridge.

The mosses and Artemisia

And so many another near herbs

Foam teeming and tiny sprout

In root tundra cities throughout

The sheen and sliver flesh

Of ice and sleet.

Ourselves wedged in the bending frost,

Soon unrooting and swept

Against any moment

The gale and over the valley canvas

A boundless irresponsible art

Like the weather.

© Alexander Dickow

///