Solstice Evening Fire

Rick's split and seasoned fir and birch is stacked
beneath the stairs. From upper picture windows
we see silver snow-clouds slowly sweep a storm
along the Thompson Valley south to high
Sahali, til moonrise buffs the skies. The moon
is full tonight. Behind Apostles' Mountains
light pours every luminous valley bright
with snow. At end of day our sated dogs,
who ran the sandy flats at river's shore
in early dusk, surrender now to sleep
on dark wood floor. They warm their flanks by fire,
dreaming of the chase. Nearby, in flickering russet
light, marshmallows toast on short-tined
forks. We bask in every hue of gratitude.