that house down there

that house
down there
drifts smoke above rooftops
guards over its corner
without a hint of enmity

that street
down there
freezes and thaws daily
endures its cyclic destiny
without despair

a pickup in a driveway
a snowshovel on a porch
a dog in a yard
a man at a desk

the sun shines bright
winter high pressure
and the valley’s inversion lifts
to reveal frost-rimed cottonwoods
standing sentry
over the yampa river