Time

a neglected path-
moss hides a forgotten shrine
the small gods long gone

meditation-
clay teapots
dry in the sun

Pandemic

weary of donning
this mask, this gown, these gloves, I
once more go to work

hospital corridors-
the white noise
of dying

Sunrise

the soft eastern sky-
treetops gilded in copper
frame the rising sun

daybreak-
the furnace and I
struggle to wake up

Starlight

cocooned in afghans-
bright remnants of creation
streak across the sky

deep desert night-
the great arc of stars
lights the horizon

Gotham

metal folding chairs-
coffee cans half full of ash
on the fire escape

urban jungle-
pole beans climb
my barred windows

mornings

standing by the sink-
I feel the warmth from your feet
on the bathroom floor

lost in your dreams-
I silence my alarm
before it wakes you

Conflict

brought forth from the ice-
my tarnished battle armor
deeply scarred from use

far from the cherry blossoms-
the clarion call
of battle

City

seventh floor walk up-
down in the street feral cats
howl in the moonlight

stuck to my sheets-
the only breeze
from a passing train

Grief

wreaths of dead flowers-
how can I blame you now for
my dirty dishes

the front door locked-
my footsteps echo
down the hall

River

herons in the reeds-
crabs hide under stones after
the overnight rain

river rocks-
barbel catfish lurk
in the shadows