Stream

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

white water-
children’s laughter
in the froth

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

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

Bread

dark basement staircase-
the heady scent of baked bread
wafts down from above

golden light-
brown buttered toast
and black coffee

Macabre

writing in the dark-
I dip my pen into the
inkwell of the night

a forest path-
fallen trees
turn to dust

Cats

wind at the windows-
as I move to tend the fire
the cat takes my seat

late winter morn-
my calico sleeps
in a patch of sun

Tide

the slow push of surf-
a lighthouse in the distance
obscured by the fog

distant foghorns
cairns lost
to the tide