Seasons – Page 131

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

distant sirens wail
slowly I realize that
you’re not coming home
–
a warm shower
startled awake
by the telephone

on the river bank
the flashing of fireflies
set the trees alight
–
soaring gulls
an empty shell
half in the sand

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

the Scottish highlands
a castle ruin, moss, and stone
rising from the moors
–
falcons take wing
moonlight ripples
on the loch

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

freshly cut flowers
in a wreath of fallen leaves
laid upon your grave
–
curled sepia photos
seeds taking root in
freshly turned earth

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

dawn by the lakeside
white herons fly over mist
lit by the sunrise
–
morning coffee
steam rises
off the grass