Life

this life all too brief-
a freshly fallen snowflake
melting in my hand
–
rebirth-
spring sky in
a robin’s egg

barefoot in the grass-
the rhythm of seasons
under her sundress
–
daydream-
warm sunlight
under my skin

most of my life spent
standing by the water’s edge
never getting wet
–
ashen skies-
in a barrel of rain
my reflection

tattered autumn lace
drifting in the morning air
lofted by the breeze
–
leaf litter-
tulip poplars
shed their skin

gentle drops of rain
fall from the trees to collect
on my upturned face
–
quiet water-
minnows surface
beneath my shadow

mired in the past
endlessly forced to repeat
the sins of my youth
–
born of fire-
ashes rise
into the night

a callous wind blows
through the cracks in these old bones
and broken windows
–
rusty mountains-
poppy fields in
a sniper’s scope

icy autumn breath
a sliver of the full moon
gazes down on me
–
morning run-
frozen leaves
crunch underfoot

waiting for the sun-
sitting on a weathered dock
fishing rod in hand
–
fly fishing-
casting shadows
on the water

a single oak leaf
silently floats through the air
under azure skies
–
twelve again-
shuffling through
a pile of leaves