Light

flooded rice paddies
on the roadside sheaves of straw
drying in the sun
–
high spring sun
nimble fingers
sowing wheat

an icy black rain
the autumn harvest freezes
while still in the field
–
a desert night
cold hard water
feeds the fire

tall iron street lamps
cast their pallid light over
London’s cobblestones
–
polished pewter
the lustrous glow
of a veiled moon

seeking your guidance
for I cannot find my way
alone through the dark
–
an eerie green glow
eyes wide open
in the darkness

the low morning sun
behind a red crepe myrtle
it’s branches aflame
–
fresh snow
blowing alight the coals
of last nights fire

alone on the sea
caught in a tempest’s fury
far from her home port
–
an unfamiliar bed
the southern cross
in the night sky

our favorite booth
fond memories now haunting
a table for one
–
calm water
the shadow of
a rope swing

your licorice lips
the taste of clove and anise
lingers on my tongue
–
quiet sunrise
a rose bud
slowly opens

well seasoned hardwood
crackles and hisses as it
slowly turns to ash
–
rolling seas
a cigarette cupped
against the wind

a slice of the night
carved out of a starless sky
gleaming, motionless
–
chaff in the wind
burnished brass
low on the horizon