Darkness – Page 19

the fifth of July
a time for reflection on
what we have become
–
saguaro cactus-
a small sneaker
in the sand

canons and mortars-
our patriotic fervor
lights up the night sky
–
fireworks
the dog hides
under my bed

a thief in the night-
sleep steals into the room and
takes me unawares
–
cunning-
the sly sofa
steals my will

ephemeral rain-
bird songs echo from the trees
in the fading light
–
twilight-
a grove
of amber

my open window-
from the red barn a white owl
asks me one question
–
transfixed-
the field mouse stares
at his death

dark murky waters
dirt and debris stirred up from
raking the bottom
–
cold rain-
a dark past
muddied by truth

a time of rebirth-
years spent living in the dark
rescued by your light
–
through the water
dancing reflections
from the surface

waiting for the sea-
an ancient mariner mourns
the arriving tide
–
bedraggled skies-
limp with rain over
an unkempt sea

in a shadow box
fragments of my broken heart
preserved and on display
–
shimmering heat-
pools of water
just out of reach

as day turns to night
the sun gives her dying light
to the mountain tops
–
mountain peaks-
aging temples
streaked with snow