Afternoon – Page 8

leaves blow through the barn-
the sweet smell of feed dust hangs
heavy in the air
–
ringing steel-
horseshoes red in
the farrier’s forge

angry winter night-
grey shutters on the northern wall
banging in the wind
–
on the south porch-
sharing the sunrise as
the wind chimes slowly

the harsh morning sun-
touring the damage again
for the final time
–
green and black clouds-
through broken glass
the storm arrives

the snick of scissors-
years of her identity
in piles on the floor
–
afternoon rain-
the buzz of gossip
and razors

she gives him her name-
for a just moment they share
their humanity
–
snow covered sidewalk-
she wraps her dog
in the blanket

the hawaiian sun-
a straw hat and gunnysack
in pineapple fields
–
pacific clouds-
the obscured rim
of Kilauea

wordlessly I watch
as with the greatest of care
you remove my heart
–
rising from the fog-
taking breaths
that are not my own

a gotham snowstorm-
woolen pea coat collar up
leaning into the wind
–
fieldstone walkway-
a dusting of snow
lightly coats the moss

a grove of white oaks
standing in a flooded field-
leafless in summer
–
silver on black-
the koi swim
in the moon

sitting on the stoop-
strangers walking past me with
judgment in their eyes
–
icy concrete steps-
wrought iron railings
rusted through