Seven wild turkeys have assembled

under the canopy of the biggest pine

just north of the house. They tremble-

quiver violently now and then,

to shake the snow away, then go on

sleeping. Though until they do they resemble

a cluster of god eggs or snow-covered, holy stones,

or better yet the cherished ceremonial bells

somewhere—a government hall, a cathedral—

that some yawning functionary has to tend

and, by virtue of a forgotten decree and a call,

must ring, for some reason, again and again.