Time

shadows of the moon
climbing down from the treetops
to hide from the sun
–
lakeside dawn-
eider ducks
begin to stir

through lavender clouds-
the cheeks of the sky blushing
with the coming dawn
–
encroaching dawn-
last night’s candles
turned to smoke

passing rain showers-
steam rises from the asphalt
in the summer sun
–
soft patter-
august leaves
talk to the rain

awake in the dark
so transfixed by the vision
I can’t make a sound
–
the crickets silenced-
a specter looms
o’er my footboard

sitting on the train
I look across the aisle and
see you as you were
–
hot city streets-
a stranger wears
my memories

a smiling buddha
round belly worn smooth by
hands of thousands
–
pagoda doors-
stone steps cut
in the hillside

in a copper bowl
beneath a blooming dogwood
a robin splashes
–
sudden showers-
a crow flies
through the rain

dark attic corners
within an old cardboard box
dusty memories
–
summer boardwalk-
sepia toned
memories

I am but a leaf
countless among the masses
on the tree of life
–
approaching autumn-
spring leaves
begin to fall

a rain-soaked highway-
the skeletal hand of fate
cuts another thread
–
trapped in amber-
mountains are as
grains of sand