To hear the poet read “Seasons Journal,” click here.
seeing her off
only incense greets him
coming back into the room
stretched on the floor
after a long day’s talking
rubbing noses with his cat
first frost whitens grasses,
first white smoke
from his neighbor’s cabin
snow at night:
deep-sleeping population
comes drifting down
friend not seen for years:
gray whiskers
around the boyish smile
after the staid snowfalls
the rain now
splashy as children
on and on
reading a friend’s new novel
wishing to be more kind
the great dead mallow
ready for chopping
springs purple flowers
mind wandering,
suddenly driving very fast:
Mozart in the car
farmers’ market
carrying flowers carefully
down crowded aisles
girls jump rope
in out pepper pepper
old man wipes his brow
evening tea
contemplating the great kindness
of everyone
before they risk a word
the poets at the lily pond
drink three cups of wine
awkward moment:
gazing into each other’s eyes
a bit too long
summer’s offering
ants on the windowsill
ants in the cat’s dish
on Hendry’s Beach
respectable, leashed dog, sniffed
by free-ranging others
collecting beach stones
holes and odd edges:
slow artistry
house-mice scurry
awake from their naps
after the heat of the day
digging out the dandelions;
readying ground
for the next generation
throw-aways at the curb:
inside-out umbrella
bed that wouldn’t work
the poppies sway
the wind looks around
the cat licks herself
awake, listening:
laughter of guest love-makers
trying to be more quiet
cooling evening breeze:
the potted plants take water
yield back earth-scent
late for work
he stands there reading
an old love letter
patch of moonlight
rocking, rocking,
won’t come in with the tide