Elemental – Page 19

violent currents
slake their thirst with sailor’s lives
by the gates of hell
–
jagged ice-
ancient wrecks
litter the narrows

a golden eagle-
soaring as the sun sinks on
a cumbrian lake
–
reflections-
autumn leaves
in the water

crabs in the shallows-
a hidden sandbar barely
revealed by the tide
–
onshore breeze-
knots of seaweed
drying in the sun

in the far distance
gunmetal mountains embossed
on an ashen sky
–
cherry blossoms-
jagged peaks float
above leaden clouds

a shaft of sunlight-
the autumnal equinox
finally arrives
–
apple harvest-
lengthening shadows
mark the time

howling in the night
a cold wind pounds on my door
straining the hinges
–
black rain-
branches scrape
my darkened window

in the stinging rain
waiting by the library
for the doors to open
–
sleeping rough-
water from the downspout
soaking his coat

rising from a dream
tasting a memory that’s
almost elusive
–
floating-
beholden to the wind
over a rising sun

under thick brambles
a stream runs through an arch
in an old stone wall
–
empty talons-
a chipmunk
avoids its fate

little galoshes
stomping in puddles under
pastel umbrellas
–
thunderstorm-
rain shedding off
an elephant ear