Danger

lying in my bed
beautiful and poisonous
twisted in the sheets

african sun-
death lurks
in the tall grass

Life

all I have of you-
the crossword and a ring left
by your coffee cup

saplings-
rooted
in the shade

Wind

leaves swirl in the wind-
a blackbird takes his respite
on my windowsill

dandelion seeds-
wishes adrift
on the wind

Heat

an empty porch swing-
lazy paddle fans disturb
the hot southern air

the forest floor-
dragonflies still
in the thick air

Dusk

as venus rises
the sun on the horizon
sets the trees aglow

western fires-
too soon dowsed
by a deluge of stars

Revisit

looking back in time
pictures of who we once were
under cellophane

rich brown soil-
an old green tin
a child’s treasure

Web

she turns a shy smile-
a web of hairline cracks form
in his tough facade

cobwebs-
broken plaster
litters the floor

Decay

holes in the floorboards-
the regal oak panel door
left hanging askew

no longer a home-
dim autumn light
caught in the cobwebs

Welcome

testing the waters-
I dip my toe in to check
if I’ll let you in

soft light-
my door
slightly ajar

Manifest Destiny

wide open prairies
the promise of a new life
in every acre

covered wagons-
homesteads built
on sacred land