After the first hard freeze
while the ground is spongy
overnight, water extrudes
from weakened plant stems
like icing forced through piping tips
when I decorate sugar cookies
nature sculpts thin ice
into wisps and curls
more fragile than my grandparents’
holiday box of assorted ribbon candy
my favorites, cherry and lemon,
dissolve upon entering my mouth
before the sun warms the forest floor
I search among wildflowers
yellow ironweed and white crownhead
for these elusive ice crystals
too delicate and short-lived
to pick for a table bouquet
only for my early eyes
and camera lens
I savor my discovery of frost flowers
like a melting piece of hard candy
Elusive Delight by Suzanne Cottrell | Sandalwood & Vanilla Poetry Reed Diffuser
Suzanne Cottrell is the author of three poetry chapbooks and a hybrid book, Nature Calls Outside My Window, A Collection of Poems and Stories (Kelsay Books). She lives with her husband in rural North Carolina. An outdoor enthusiast and retired teacher, she enjoys reading, writing, knitting, hiking, and Pilates. www.suzanneswords.com.
