Distance – Page 79

a dying ember
brightened by love’s final breath
at last extinguished
–
autumn
the last robin
falls silent

a trail of bent grass
left behind by my roaming
for you to follow
–
newly fallen snow
you’re walking
in my footsteps

as I walk this earth
I tread on those before me
my path paved with love
–
footsteps
your past guides
my future

a bicycle bell
she speeds by, skirt fluttering
laughter in the wind
–
She’s gone
before I know
it’s her

a mirror’s surface
where the water meets the shore
ripples in the wind
–
cat tails
growing in and
out of the water

waves topped by whitecaps
crash onto the jetty far
below my window
–
breaking waves-
ocean and shore
sotto voce

when I’ve lost my way
the candle in your window
beckons me back home
–
wandering-
guided towards
your light

gentle drops of rain
darken the soil in prelude
to the coming storm
–
afternoon mizzle
darkening clouds
on the horizon

slow ocean waves
push the gathering sea foam
gently into shore
–
murmuring-
the ocean whispers
to the shore

my heart held hostage
as a testament to your
faith in my return
—
waiting-
my heart
as collateral