The Quiet Winter In The MIddle Of The Whole World

Many years ago, I arrived in Ithaca NY from NYC in the dead of winter, January 1st.  The next day it had snowed, a good 5 inches.  I went off to explore and walked way out of town towards one of the many (i wanted to say Fjords!) Gorges.  I decided on an alternate route and trudged through snowy pine trees.  Little idea where I was heading.  There were no other foot prints.  Eventually the pine gave way to thick hemlock.  Things got thicker and darker and quieter in the snow.  All of a sudden the world opened up before me at the edge of the gorge.  It was wide, deep and dark.  The water was a good 50 feet below me.  Rushing water, Ice covering everything, primeval forces, light and dark,

I was completely alone.  

Except,  
On the blinding white snow,
On one patch of ice,
In the middle of the rushing water,
One lone goose,  
Sleeping,
In the middle of the whole world.