yellow aspens

the heavens wail and keen
  throwing cold, wet darts
slickering and slippering
  the snaky mountain roads

but even without sun
  to make them shine
the hilltops give off
  a holy golden glow

the Midas touch, sprinkling
  the slopes with aspen yellow
will not be dulled
  by the day’s deluge 

Liz McFadzean