Afternoon – Page 45

asleep on the beach-
so far away from winter
and your icy touch
–
caribbean surf-
tracing lazy circles
on the small your back

southward flying geese
their long journey just begun
as mine is ending
–
warm boots-
my old dog’s
snowy muzzle

heads bowed in respect
under an overcast sky
the flag at half mast
–
rising winds-
halyards ring
the flagpole

early summer hay
cut by hand and harvested
drying in the sun
–
short shadows-
winnowing wheat
under the burning sun

cold and sterile rooms-
the emptiness of being
alone here with you
–
makeshift rafts-
icy waters
devoid of life

wishes of the past-
far too much wasted time spent
fueling my regrets
–
light rain-
a well tended garden of
unplanted seeds

sheets of winter rain
wrung from the lowering sky
sideways in the wind
–
morning run-
frozen leaves
crack underfoot

tender young seedlings-
the promise of the harvest
rises through the snow
–
first snow-
our children’s
hot chocolate

from across the room
I catch sight of your face and
my breath escapes me
–
waiting in a queue-
plumes of breath
and exhaust

barefoot in the grass-
the rhythm of seasons
under her sundress
–
daydream-
warm sunlight
under my skin