Afternoon – Page 40

angry bitter tears
burn as they roll down her face
and fall to the dirt
–
arid fields-
dust gathers
around his feet

a cold waiting room-
absolutely terrified
of what will come next
–
eyes closed-
the taste of salt
in my veins

a cobblestone path-
the back garden gate flanked by
rose bushes in bloom
–
spring breeze-
the cloying scent
of honeysuckle

nestled in the snow
a single long stemmed red rose
rests on your headstone
–
cold rain-
in the gutter
a bouquet of roses

barnacles gather
just below the waterline
where the piers once stood
–
rotting pilings-
waves, the echoes
of children’s laughter

under crushing debt
the future turns to ashes
swept by our children
–
wild fire-
fed by embers
on the wind

any hope of sleep
spurned by the approaching dawn
and a snoring dog
–
sleeping dogs-
the violent death
of a cardboard box

the low morning sun
full of threats and promises
through the falling snow
–
skies alight-
the rumble
low and throaty

open bed pickup
memories caught by the wind
litter the highway
–
twisted fingers-
brittle pages of
her wedding album

coruscating snow
slithers across the highway
hastened by the wind
–
morning sun-
cherry blossoms
in the snow