1: Still Life with Creek
Sunlight broke upon the cows
that stood beside the heady creek.
Cumulostratus dappled the light.
The oaks brought down lacy shadows
where buckeyes shimmered like deity.
2: Quail
Something is bothering
the quail—some drama
outside. But I can't see
what it is from this window.
3: Still Life with Rain
Rain adheres to our window
and lenses the early, evening
light: red bark, green leaves.
I finger a window where
an olive lights my martini glass.
4: The Window
Beneath the tree-of-heaven
the old brick building stands.
Beside the old brick building
I see something in the shade,
something ephemeral and sweet.
5: April
Something has leafed upon the oaks
in a green too, too exuberant
for life. Even reflected off the quiet,
spreading forebay, my eyes, in disbelief,
are quick to grab the startling intruder.
6: After Gyozan
Without much pain or hardship
I've reached my 35th year;
today I work in my yard—which
looks better: these orange flowers
or the weeds rising beyond?
7: Hindsight
Weeds pressed the broad leaves
and startling flowers of some
salmon-colored cannas against
the fox-gray wood fence. The walnut
had grown to shade them.
8: Virgule
Outside, a bird was singing.
Music played in another room.
Dusk. Suddenly I looked
at myself in the mirror.
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