The Upward Cast

The Upward Cast, February 2026

The softest warm light

emanates from the red brown bark of pines,

reflected up from the crunchy carpet

of dead leaves under foot.

Together, they reflect light more

than before during life,

when their duty was to absorb it.

In death the long-fallen leaves

achieve a dull petrified parchment,

brittle by the arid winter breath,

their smoothed surface indifferent

to a bright sun between longer, dismal

spells of frigid saturation.

Can we consider that uncelebrated

and pervasive glow a regulation

of temperature on the coldest days?

A warmth for the forest communities of

trees and invisible animals?

Or maybe a branch of our hope

to shine on during death;

the living still walking

in subtle illumination

cast upward by the departed?