Calm
in the forest pond
floating water lilies tint
the fishes below
–
ripple-
a golden koi
breaks the surface
in the forest pond
floating water lilies tint
the fishes below
–
ripple-
a golden koi
breaks the surface
waves topped by whitecaps
crash onto the jetty far
below my window
–
breaking waves-
ocean and shore
sotto voce
gentle drops of rain
darken the soil in prelude
to the coming storm
–
afternoon mizzle
darkening clouds
on the horizon
slow ocean waves
push the gathering sea foam
gently into shore
–
murmuring-
the ocean whispers
to the shore
ancient banyan roots
a lounging snapping turtle
basks in the sunlight
–
bayou roots-
the sun warms
a lazy turtle
semaphore flags snap
high in the ominous sky
double back and red
–
a tempest-
warning flags
flying high
Pele watches as
Pregnant clouds spill down over
The caldera’s rim
The springtime wetland
Chorus comes alive at dusk
As the peep frogs sing
Through the morning mist
A wading crane, motionless
Suddenly takes flight
A lake flat as glass
The calm belies the hunger
Beneath the surface