Afternoon – Page 20

a sudden cloudburst-
the rain soaking my shoes as
I run for cover
–
hazy sunshine-
sidewalks steaming
from the passing rain

wind rustles the leaves
and coaxes a dryad’s song
of spring from the trees
–
whispers-
forest giants
shake off the cold

a soul deeply flawed
ichorous and fetid cast
from a broken mold
–
bathing rituals-
filing ewers by
the riverbanks

my outstretched fingers-
a solitary oak leaf
floating on the breeze
–
spring afternoon-
dozens of oak seeds
spin in the wind

northern white cedars-
the cliff face of ragged stone
falling to the sea
–
out of the fog-
a grand tower
of sun bleached stone

the ghost of winter
runs her fingers through my hair
and kisses my neck
–
a cold wind-
blowing sand
and salt spray

driftwood and clam shells
dried seaweed and rushes line
the high water mark
–
curling waves-
preening ducks
bathe in the surf

an old church graveyard
dogwood petals salt the ground
o’er the waiting dead
–
grey rain-
tumbled stones
on hallowed ground

across an open lea
a small fox bounding over
sprays of wildflowers
–
rolling green hills-
freckles of
snapdragons

a line of turtles
asleep on a fallen log
as I float on by
–
flat water-
silently
making waves