Water

picking myself up
from all the times I’ve fallen
back in love with you
–
floating ice-
piling up
downstream

gilded double doors
open with empty promises
of false salvation
–
heavy leaden sky-
swollen riverbanks
poised to overflow

tumbling down hill
chatting and laughing aloud
running to the sea
–
freshly frozen-
on the lake shore
crackled glass

by the temple gates
burning incense left as a
simple offering
–
hot springs-
steam rising from
the snow monkeys

death comes unbidden-
a brief pause before leaving
to collect his due
–
icicles-
melting in
the winer sun

visiting the well
my wooden bucket dipping
deep in the moonlight
–
alongside the lake-
the harvest moon
follows me home

bitter grievances
at the holiday table
long past time for peace
–
unrelenting
a winter river
choked with ice

lies in the mirror
not what we truly are but
what we wish to be
–
leafless-
reflections in
the watery sky

pulled taut and snapping
the pole holding fast the flag
standing at half mast
–
icy rain
her cheeks
freshly wet

early morning haze
the pale tint of the full moon
just above the trees
–
first light-
the fog and I
rise together