Distance – Page 13

our long entrance hall-
the empty peg on the wall
where your coat once hung
–
distant smoke-
years of farmland
turned to ash

months of sundays gone-
I still just can’t get used to
sleeping without you
–
autumn winds-
the restless swirl
of fallen leaves

the full solstice moon
begs forgiveness of the sun
for stealing her light
–
from dust to dust-
the fullness of time
forgives no one

pale silver moonlight
captured in the broken glass
strewn across the street
–
autum eve-
crickets silenced
by shattering glass

my bedside vigil-
each moment slipping away
taking you with them
–
machines hum-
outside your window
a starless night

in the western sky
the sun sets on iron clouds
promising thunder
–
leaves in the wind-
the low rumble
of distant thunder

rustling blankets-
your padding to the bathroom
teases me from sleep
–
the drive home-
fallen leaves
blanket the road

summer’s final breath-
the wind in the autumn leaves
whispering goodbye
–
a covered bridge-
fallen leaves dance
before the rain

a rotting boardwalk
crosses an estuary
flowing to the sea
–
low tide-
razor clams
burrow in the mud

moonlight in her hair-
she walks along the shoreline
and into the night
–
a turtle’s splash –
the moon wavers
on the water