Splinter

rid of you at last
cut from where you’d gotten lodged
just under my skin

last year’s maple leaves-
splinters from a
prior life

Senses

fields of lavender-
if tomorrow never comes
at least we’ll have this

apricot sunrise-
hints of vanilla
on the breeze

Stream

through the forest glen
long ribbons of water flow
over time worn stones

white water-
children’s laughter
in the froth

Rain

the end of the rain-
I pull back layers of clouds
to reveal the stars

petrichor-
storm clouds
in a puddle

Birds

a mackerel sky-
skeins of canadian geese
flying overhead

routine commute-
cardinals cross
my path

Anniversary

a towering oak-
our initials in a heart
carved into the trunk

sunset park-
the bench where
we first met

Missing

the bathroom door locked –
water covers the threshold
soaking the carpet

echos in the hallway-
your phone goes
straight to voice mail

Sunlight

a warm rain ended-
softened sunlight drizzles down
to the forest floor

dawn breaks-
sunlight arrives
unannounced

Eclipse

encroaching darkness-
a blue moon wanders across
the path of the sun

approaching night-
a bat flies across
the moon

Payment

one thing is certain-
with the taxes completed
l just wait for death

lights dim-
a life’s debt
repaid