Afternoon – Page 29

an arctic grey wolf
arrives on the cold north wind
and sinks its teeth in
–
grey clouds-
english ivy
turned to glass

sudden autumn snow-
wind blown beauty and carnage
behind in its wake
–
cold winds-
whorls and eddies
of fallen leaves

downcast hazel eyes-
blistered feet dangle from the
hospital gurney
–
bitter winds-
the horizon
set aglow

cold new england streets-
an old oak tree holds onto
the last leaf of fall
–
first snow-
winter arrives
far too soon

threatening storm clouds-
filling sandbags to ward off
the impending flood
–
a neglected barn-
keeping vigil over
rising waters

japanese maples-
bright crimson leaves caught aflame
in the morning sun
–
sudden rain-
sheltering under
an elephant’s ear

low distant thunder-
the smell of fall in the air
as the rain rolls in
–
sleeping cats-
outside the rain
turns to sleet

the telephone rings-
it seems you and I still have
unfinished business
–
woolen socks and
warm apple cider-
my phone in a drawer

open before me
the pages of my journal
blank and foreboding
–
onshore winds-
sand and shells
in the roiling surf

documenting war-
pages inked with the spilled blood
of the innocent
–
shimmering heat –
blood pools
in the desert sand