Afternoon – Page 48

crabs in the shallows-
a hidden sandbar barely
revealed by the tide
–
onshore breeze-
knots of seaweed
drying in the sun

a sudden silence
painful accusations still
hanging in the air
–
tiny monarchs-
weightless
milkweed seeds

in the far distance
gunmetal mountains embossed
on an ashen sky
–
cherry blossoms-
jagged peaks float
above leaden clouds

I won’t bet my life
on a roll of the dice but
I’ll take my chances
–
parting clouds-
hoof prints
in the damp soil

a shaft of sunlight-
the autumnal equinox
finally arrives
–
apple harvest-
lengthening shadows
mark the time

herds of fallen leaves
stampeding across my yard
following the wind
–
lakeside-
leaves crisping
beneath my feet

rough fisherman’s hands
haul up the day’s catch under
a mackerel sky
–
circling hawks-
shark skin clouds
promising rain

in the stinging rain
waiting by the library
for the doors to open
–
sleeping rough-
water from the downspout
soaking his coat

little galoshes
stomping in puddles under
pastel umbrellas
–
thunderstorm-
rain shedding off
an elephant ear

the smell of sea salt
carried on the inland wind
by dangerous storms
–
flying fish-
on the bowsprit
the sea in her hair