Afternoon – Page 41

at once of two worlds-
straddling the razor’s edge
between life and death
–
winter sun-
the hawk’s shadow
grows smaller

glowing yellow eyes-
pure malevolence lurking
within the shadows
–
soft underbelly-
the sudden turn
of claws and teeth

on the village green
the hollow toll of church bells
ringing out the dead
–
frozen earth-
grave diggers toil
into the night

white breath and mittens-
on the pond shaved ice gathers
the sounds of laughter
–
heavy blankets-
the sound
of falling snow

broad fields of amber
spread under a western sky-
gentle autumn rain
–
thinning clouds-
baled hay
in the sun

deep under water
looking back at the surface
as I sink farther
–
valentines day-
ice cracks
beneath my feet

hushed elevator-
the open doors close once more
leaving us alone
–
frosted glass-
winter air
seeps in

a pair of sneakers
found by the side of the road
after the cleanup
–
waiting crows-
a possum’s
sacrifice

an empty city-
young maples rises up through
the broken sidewalk
–
an old plow-
reclaimed
by the forest

the sliding doors shut
as the train pulls away I’m
still on the platform
–
changing winds-
the last robin
takes wing