Afternoon – Page 22

cobblestone sidewalks-
birds nest in the thatch roofs of
tudor cottages
–
spring afternoon-
warm hours spent
deadheading roses

late afternoon breeze-
a cardinal feeds his mate
seeds from my garden
–
morning sunlight-
dogwood brides
dressed in white

rid of you at last
cut from where you’d gotten lodged
just under my skin
–
last year’s maple leaves-
splinters from a
prior life

fields of lavender-
if tomorrow never comes
at least we’ll have this
–
apricot sunrise-
hints of vanilla
on the breeze

through the forest glen
long ribbons of water flow
over time worn stones
–
white water-
children’s laughter
in the froth

the end of the rain-
I pull back layers of clouds
to reveal the stars
–
petrichor-
storm clouds
in a puddle

a mackerel sky-
skeins of canadian geese
flying overhead
–
routine commute-
cardinals cross
my path

the bathroom door locked –
water covers the threshold
soaking the carpet
–
echos in the hallway-
your phone goes
straight to voice mail

one thing is certain-
with the taxes completed
l just wait for death
–
lights dim-
a life’s debt
repaid

dark basement staircase-
the heady scent of baked bread
wafts down from above
–
golden light-
brown buttered toast
and black coffee