Dawn

shadows of the moon
climbing down from the treetops
to hide from the sun

lakeside dawn-
eider ducks
begin to stir

Strangers

sitting on the train
I look across the aisle and
see you as you were

hot city streets-
a stranger wears
my memories

bird

in a copper bowl
beneath a blooming dogwood
a robin splashes

sudden showers-
a crow flies
through the rain

Leaves

I am but a leaf
countless among the masses
on the tree of life

approaching autumn-
spring leaves
begin to fall

Time

a rain-soaked highway-
the skeletal hand of fate
cuts another thread

trapped in amber-
mountains are as
grains of sand

Hiding

this fool’s mask I wear
hides the truth so no one sees
my deformity

moonless-
a dim glow
in the attic

Salty

seeing you again-
I add a touch of salt to
a long glass of rain

ocean spray-
saltwater
stings my lips

Mourning

cold tears of mourning
mix with the rain as I turn
my face to the sky

false dawn-
I’m sill here
without you

Crime

reliving the past
what lengths I wouldn’t go to
for absolution

dogwood blossoms-
blue jays raid
a sparrow nest

Emptiness

nothing left at home
save the old chair and sofa
that I brought with me

vacant memories-
cobwebs cling
to empty shelves