Seasons – Page 117

Light

the long autumn sun
shining through the turning leaves
of October trees
–
frosted windows-
winter morning light
spreads across my floor

a lone egret stands
beneath a spreading chestnut
sheltered from the rain
–
thunder snow-
after images of
white lighting

reaching for you as
just beyond my memory
you slip from my grasp
–
withered leaves-
parched soil runs
between my fingers

it’s been a long ride-
this road’s often difficult
but worth the journey
–
apple blossoms-
taken by the
wandering wind

an aging pen knife
coaxes an old fisherman
from a block of wood
–
midday rain-
an empty chrysalis
among the milkweed

freshly turned earth falls
from the back of my shovel
burying the light
–
overcast skies-
a tenuous flame
turns to smoke

the heat off your skin
bending the air and making
my resolve waver
–
desert sands-
shimmering water
in the distance

my head on your thigh
searching for divinity
in a sunflower
–
crimson booms
stain the pallid
melting snow

endlessly sifting
the detritus of the day
while sleep eludes me
–
an unkempt sky –
wind driven surf
pounds the shore

you are my center-
the sky above my head and
ground beneath my feet
–
autumn leaves-
take from me the
very air I breathe