Widows

beauty and horror
entwined around each other
in a spider’s web

morning mist-
time passes
red on black

Missing

forced conversation-
a glance at his empty chair
then awkward silence

oddly quiet-
the azure sky
free of birds

Trapped

trapped by bitter cold
prison bars of leafless trees
holding me steadfast

spring snow-
steaming tea
fogs the window

Deluge

one final look back
collar turned up against the
horizontal rain

spring peepers-
the rain of snare drums
on the forest floor

Light

the long autumn sun
shining through the turning leaves
of October trees

frosted windows-
winter morning light
spreads across my floor

Storm

a lone egret stands
beneath a spreading chestnut
sheltered from the rain

thunder snow-
after images of
white lighting

Extinguished

freshly turned earth falls
from the back of my shovel
burying the light

overcast skies-
a tenuous flame
turns to smoke

Gift

you are my center-
the sky above my head and
ground beneath my feet

autumn leaves-
take from me the
very air I breathe

Tracks

walking in the tide
my temporary footprints
too soon forgotten

gentle flurries-
fresh tracks lead
to the birdbath

Passing

whole conversations
pass with just a knowing glance
incomplete silence

a heartbeat-
one moment
our lifetime