Waking

I wake to nothing
but the impression of you
left in my mattress

cold sweat-
twisted in
my bedsheets

Veteran

I close my eyes and
before sleep overtakes me
I pray for those I’ve killed

fireworks-
earplugs in
a darkened room

Storm

dark menacing skies
downed trees and power lines-
the storm overhead

brooding clouds-
wolves bay
in the distance

Death

blind and deaf old men
sit in darkened boardrooms and
beat the drums of war

black water-
death waiting
on the far bank

Cats

glowing yellow eyes-
pure malevolence lurking
within the shadows

soft underbelly-
the sudden turn
of claws and teeth

Plague

on the village green
the hollow toll of church bells
ringing out the dead

frozen earth-
grave diggers toil
into the night

TV

snoring quietly
your head still on my shoulder-
our show just over

dreams of snow-
waking to
tv static

Winter

white breath and mittens-
on the pond shaved ice gathers
the sounds of laughter

heavy blankets-
the sound
of falling snow

Harvest

broad fields of amber
spread under a western sky-
gentle autumn rain

thinning clouds-
baled hay
in the sun

Decisions

deep under water
looking back at the surface
as I sink farther

valentines day-
ice cracks
beneath my feet