In line with my continuing obsession with bare winter trees, the photo I am pondering today shows the reflection of the skeleton branches of a tree in a sidewalk puddle. I captured this image just outside the hospital where my mother was recovering from surgery.

The location of this image is important. I was dealing with decisions concerning life and death - perhaps that's why I have spent so much time focused on trees that appear dead but will likely leaf out at the magical time in spring.

The two trees appear in the water - transparent and floating like an apparition. Their branches interweave, their extremities fade away at the edges of the puddle. One well-placed foot stomp would distort them beyond recognition. But I stepped around, wanting to move unnoticed, as if remaining below the cosmic radar would make my deeply desired outcome occur; as if I could avoid the wrath of any god who had a grievance with me.