Just so that each stark,
Spiked twig,
May be even more fierce
With significance,

There are these birds
As further harbingers
Of the coming wintry reduction
To sign and enigma:

The impatient way
In which they shook snow
Off their wings,
And then remained, inexplicably

Thus, wings half-open,
Making two large algebraic X’s
As if for emphasis,
Or in the mockery of…