Afternoon – Page 60

a warm southern breeze
long willow boughs sway gently
caressing the earth
–
spring rains-
the willow’s soft tears
darken the ground

standing at the bow
salt spray drenching your sundress
the sun in your hair
–
terns on the wing-
flecks of sea foam
floating gently past

caught in the moment
losing time watching you dance
barefoot in the rain
–
cloudburst-
green leaves on the
steaming pavement

down by the lakeside
a skein of migrating geese
glide in for a rest
–
hot pavement-
the roar of flight
fills my ears

walking in the snow
grinning as you casually
step in my footprints
–
robin tracks-
early spring
snowfall

grey curls of wet smoke-
the kiss of embers linger
on her ruby lips
–
midnight sweat-
a lazy ceiling fan
stirs the air

by the temple gates
burning incense left as a
simple offering
–
hot springs-
steam rising from
the snow monkeys

death comes unbidden-
a brief pause before leaving
to collect his due
–
icicles-
melting in
the winer sun

splintering sunlight
broad winter shadows reaching
out across the lea
–
fresh snow-
a smattering
of paw prints

bitter grievances
at the holiday table
long past time for peace
–
unrelenting
a winter river
choked with ice