trinity of fallen

trinity of fallen 

shingle oak leaves enfolding 

a heart of snow

Yesterday, temperatures rose to above freezing. Coming out of church after our friends' wedding, we were greeted by a benediction of plump, lacy flakes. 
          By nightfall, bitterly cold air and strong winds moved in, creating dangerously low wind chill values, down to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (-46 C). We canceled our trip to Minnesota, further north and even colder.
          Today, when I venture out for firewood, I discover a trio of fallen shingle oak leaves caught in the lilac bush by our gate, their pointy lobes embracing a heart-shaped pocket of snow. 
          Shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria), a type of red oak, is distinguished by its single-lobed leaves. Quite common here in southeastern Iowa, it was so-named by early settlers who found that the wood split easily and could be used for shingles or shakes. The leaves persist on the tree all winter, even after they have turned completely brown. 
          Today, however, gusts of 35 mph (56 kph) are sending many leaves skittering across the snow like toboggans. By chance, this particular trio fell into the lilac bush, creating an icon of wings enfolding a heart of snow, and by chance I behold them.