release

lingering aimless-
attempting to cross in vain
the border of death

almost free-
weightless and yet
still tied to the earth

coastal

approaching daybreak-
the sea air rimed with salt and
the taste of seaweed

sand and foam-
the gull’s cry
lingers

Waiting

a long delayed train-
remnants of morning rain
steaming in the sun

the sun long set-
a silent queue
of glowing screens

Shore

an old stone jetty-
the last hint of sunset ebbs
with the falling tide

ashen driftwood-
heavily sculpted
by the pounding surf

Rain

slowly clearing skies-
the stillness of rain water
in a fallen leaf

soft wet earth-
a new stream born
of autumn rain

Library

shining white marble-
the mourning dove comes to rest
on a lion’s mane

time worn steps-
halfway between patience
and fortitude

Winter

february hush-
dawn reveals willows dressed in
january snow

sunrise-
crusted snow
underfoot

Wind

ivory wavelets-
remnants of the evening’s wind
scalloped in the snow

winter’s fury-
a tempest borne
on driven snow

Fire

partly melted snow-
embers from the campfire rise
toward the gibbous moon

a distant glow-
wood smoke and laughter
carried on the wind

Shipwreck

draped in tulle and lace
far below the frozen sea-
immemorial

nestled in
the ocean deep-
lost to time