Afternoon – Page 21

clearing the tables-
the bartender stacks the chairs
yet we’re still talking
–
lost in your eyes-
waiting to speak
two simple words

grey unseeing eyes-
where do you go when you’re gone
far away from here
–
fields of lavender-
safe spaces
inside her head

butterflies flutter-
goldenrod grows along side
lines of split rail fence
–
the feed wagon-
cattle gather
along the fences

rain thunders outside-
oil painted landscapes smearing
against my window
–
old masters-
failing vision
frozen in time

verdant sunlight-
hillsides dappled by the shade
from the passing clouds
–
sea foam-
emerald hills
flecked with sheep

muscle and sinew-
soot stained and glistening from
the heat of the forge
–
shimmering heat-
the cold ring of
hammer on steel

walking from the train
a soft rain begins to wash
off the day’s burdens
–
eyes closed-
rocked to sleep
among strangers

sedona night skies-
a desert scorpion crawls
across my bedroll
–
campfire-
embers rise to greet
the desert stars

weeping cherry trees
pink and white blossoms sodden
with the sudden rain
–
spring rains-
dogwood blooms
floating by

a whole life reduced
to two dust covered and scuffed
satchels by her feet
–
cold desert night-
the tent offers
poor respite