Steam

driving past the farm
hummocks of mulch lie steaming
in the morning sun

leafless trees-
mist rises above
the duck pond

Deadline

long after midnight-
my eyes lose their focus as
I write in my sleep

well past curfew-
tires on the
gravel drive

Replacement

freshly cut flowers
in what used to be your urn
on my mantle piece

empty boxes-
the dog sleeps
on your side

Winter

winter is coming-
it seems only yesterday
the trees were in bloom

the forest-
awake under a
blanket of snow

Wake

with the rising sun
the smell of coffee clears the
cobwebs from my mind

smoldering campfire-
I blow on the
overnight coals

Cold

winter in the air-
unmown fields of autumn grass
yellowed by the sun

looking up-
snowflakes on
your lashes

Burden

leaving my baggage
there’s far too much to carry
along this journey

the river left behind-
ewer water
darkens the road

Escape

my eyelids heavy
weighed down by lies from the past
that I can’t escape

dark skies-
mountain rains
flood the valley

Harvest

freshly cropped farmland
the western sky glows amber
over the harvest

the setting sun-
threshed chaff
in the wind

Quiet

your slow gentle breath
in the forest silver wolves
hold court with the moon

icy water-
the sound of blood
rushing in my ears