Party

under the night sky
conversation and laughter
as the fire dies down

starlight-
good friends and
wine loosened tongues

Gardening

a cutting garden-
in the shade of a straw hat
she tends the flowers

up with the sun-
bent double
pulling weeds

Danger

sitting at the bar-
beautiful and dangerous
death in a red dress

mangrove trees-
crocodiles
come and go

Roses

crimson rose petals
clinging to a withered stem
slowly turning brown

tea rose petals –
the crystal bowl
overflowing

House

an overgrown lawn-
ravens nest in the eaves of
what was once a home

rotting lumber-
vines climb
though the floor

Death

my blood in the sink-
I should be panicking but
I can’t feel the pain

tendrils of fog-
undisturbed by the hooves
of a pale horse

Marsh

among the rushes
herons stand in the salt marsh
waiting for the tide

auburn sunrise-
dawn breezes stir
fields of cattails

Reflecting

searching for reasons
why I blame everyone else
for my own failings

brooding skies-
trees reflected
in iron water

Forest

a forest of ghosts-
cadavers stand sentinel
bleaching in the sun

echoes –
sunlight on
the forest floor

Pets

shredded paper towels
last night’s garbage strewn about-
I know you’re to blame

morning sun –
in the doorway
indecisive