Shadow

working the block plane
paper thin curls of maple
littering the floor
–
a snowy owl
gliding silently
across the night

a symbol of strength
welcoming travelers that
seek her destruction
–
in the forest
of fallen oaks
a sapling grows

sleep so elusive
reliving memories in
my childhood bedroom
–
oppressive heat
clock watching
until sunrise

the passage of time
etched deep in the wrinkles on
his leathery face
–
turning leaves
a bed of moss lit
by stippled sunlight

relaxing at last
working out in the garden
under the moonlight
–
high silver clouds
a beaver breaks
the water’s surface

a bottle of night
lost in the depths of the shelf
mislabeled as ink
–
owl’s wings, silent
across diamond
pierced ebony

spreading alder boughs
provide little respite from
the stifling heat
–
impression
of my sole
in asphalt

feeling the glass give
reaching in through the mirror
to pull myself out
–
glassy water
ripples spread
across the surface

brief is our passage
across the river of time
into the unknown
–
oak saplings
from acorns
never unearthed

dealing with the grief
of saying goodbye to you
for the final time
–
rest
at last
in peace