Late October Camping in the Sawtooths

Sunlight climbs the snowpeak
       glowing pale red
Cold sinks into the gorge
       shadows merge.
Building a fire of pine twigs
       at the foot of a cliff,
Drinking hot tea from a tin cup
       in the chill air—
Pull on sweater and roll a smoke.
       a leaf

       beyond fire

Sparkles with nightfall frost.