Morning

rivers of sunlight-
the waking ocean meets the sky
and the coming dawn
–
sunrise-
morning glory
blossoms

over greening trees
the ashen face of winter
watches the sunrise
–
peep frogs-
rainfall on
the river

a cobblestone path-
the back garden gate flanked by
rose bushes in bloom
–
spring breeze-
the cloying scent
of honeysuckle

I wake to nothing
but the impression of you
left in my mattress
–
cold sweat-
twisted in
my bedsheets

written in anger
signed in blood and gently sealed
with the kiss of death
–
impending storm-
newspapers aloft
in the morning wind

our fingers entwined-
the dusky blush of daybreak
mirrored in your face
–
the rising sun-
my finger traces
along your lips

going to bed late
dreading the dawn for who knows
what the day may bring
–
blowing snow-
the coarse growl
of a passing train

walking on eggshells
at the door I stop and turn-
you’re watching me leave
–
predawn-
hard and cold
the bedroom floor

silver cormorants
standing by the melting edge
of a frozen lake
–
snowfall-
koi slowly swim
beneath a skin of ice

the new morning sun
shining through the mist after
a hesitant rain
–
sunset-
a sudden tattoo
on her tin roof