Deep Winter Night in the Hills

The stars shower down on the Highland night

The Crab nebula recoils

Out through the winter

Distance is not the furthest frozen star

It is not that receding turmoil of desolate worlds.

Those pretty mountains smile cockily

To breezy summer tourists

The flight between the seasons is not far

Now in the clamorous winter I retire

Where rock and winds contend without respite.

This lonely bothy stilled by mountain night

Does not seem far from home's familiar stares

That warmth the same I must revile

At death of dwindling flame

In silence hanging like breath chill on the air.

Sitting with you in silence, true love,

Distance is just across the candle flame

Trying to draw an uncertain smile

Sure as the boundless wind or flickering face of shade,

We still and remote under the cold inconstant heavens.

Richard Henderson