How to walk in the snow

I’ve done a demonstration
where I head directly
across the lake

to the market and meet Mike
who I haven’t seen
in ages

he was sort of living on a commune
but last fall
bought a house by the river

he’s happy

now he’s trying to
commercialize that as well

he has company
what kind of company
I don’t know exactly

sometimes
he really listens

and sometimes

it’s almost like
all talk
is an insubstantial
flurry

I relace my boots
and head back out

it’s almost like
to cross the lake
you’ve got to make each step
pertain to water