December 2017 – Page 2

a thin skin of ice
on the koi pond slowly melts
in the morning sun
–
floating leaves-
autumn carp swim
in lazy circles

in the evening sky-
the suggestion of darkness
from the crescent moon
–
new moon-
black before
the dark of night

warm spring afternoon
rolling down a grassy hill
into a mass grave
–
wispy clouds-
grass stains and
smiling faces

shutting out the crowd
absolutely enthralled by
the shape of your words
–
rising moon-
night rolls over
the winter hills

ahead of the dawn
plodding bleary eyed into
an ashen twilight
–
flannel sheets-
coyotes barking
before the sunrise

the sharp metal screech
of the trolley’s brakes snaps me
from my reverie
–
silver moonlight-
a screech owl perched
outside my window

putting down the phone
the harsh meaning of your words
doesn’t register
–
distant rain-
unexpected
lightning

my cupped hands hiding
the glow of a cigarette
behind the garage
–
cold rain-
ignoring my phone
before last call

waiting on my touch
your warm skin rising up in
anticipation
–
rose petals-
the taste of
your breath

the taste of winter
falling from the sky for miles
to melt on my tongue
–
platform two-
frost gathers
on my lashes