February 2017 – Page 3

dark shadows riding
the fine line between the here
and the hereafter
–
cold and silent-
along his path
withered grass

dark rolling water
a rusty buoy’s hollow bell
tolls across the night
–
split rail fence-
a congregation
of cowbells

a large gray crane stands
fishing the shallow waters
down among the reeds
–
wingbeats-
spending ripples where
once was a fish

on a raven lake
the moon lies sleeping under
a blanket of stars
–
soft lapping-
the moon unwound
beside me

lazy curls of steam
glowing in the rays of the
slanting winter sun
–
the north wind-
warming my hands
on a hot cup of tea

on a gilded throne
far from the unwashed masses
counting his money
–
gauzy clouds-
spreading gold
on the ocean

dark autumn’s collapse
the strongest and tallest trees
were the first to fall
–
velvet shadows-
deep hollows
where winter lies

long ago I was
your knight in shining armor
now I’m just tarnished
–
rusted hinges-
an old mare
out to pasture