All at Once They Burst

Bright morning sunshine

Glares on the still falling leaves

And the rushing stream.

The top leaves tremble

As the boughs below them bow

In late Autumn wind.

Where did they come from--

Purple flowers on my porch

Sneaking up the rail?

Dancing on the road--

Shadows of the waving grass

As if  alive.

Hoarseness of the wind

As it whispers on the forest;

Leaves scratch on the road.

Pathway of still leaves

Waiting for the wind to blow

Winds up the driveway.

Even the two cows

Assume classic proportions

In sun and shadows.

Myriad wrinkles

Etched fine by sun and shadows:

Dry leaf in the road.

All at once they burst--

These pregnant milkweed seed pods,

Sending forth their kin.

Living and Rotting

 

New bird feeder's out;

Soon, all bears will be sleeping.

The birds will return.

Different light Falling,

As an aged person walks--

Just taking his time. 

Mushroom gathering:

A soft beige gathering--

Living and rotting.

Strange bird is chirping-

Sounds like a crow that is gurgling

And just can't spit up.

Collette is eating,

Munching on the dry dead leaves.

I guess they're crunchy.

Thanks for the soft breeze--

It blows away all the bugs

And makes me happy.

Irish call it "soft"--

This gray day of gentle winds

With the hint of rain.

Why are these bright flags

Rippling in the soft breeze?

How did they get there?

The Sound of Sparkling

 

Michaela sleeps--

No spoken words disturb her;

What is she dreaming?

 Glorious sunshine

Permeating everything

Especially my mood.

Everything is still:

The leaves, the trees, the shadows;

Until I take note.

The aged thistle

Holding on to its seed pod,

Simply won't let go.

Flashing on the stream--

Lights accompany water--

The sound of sparkling.

Mottled by shadows,

Dead tree trunk lies in the woods,

Caressed by the sun.

Shadows and dead leaves

Lie by the side of the road

Enjoying the sun.

They rush by so fast,

These cars on their way to work;

They don't see the woods.

In the boulder's cracks

New vines sprout, spring and flourish--

As strong as the rock.

What's the Special Taste

Leaves still on the trees;

Still falling, floating to earth--

Never ending Fall.

Wind is soft, easy;

The trees respond by bowing--

A peaceful Autumn.





















What's the special taste
That Olivia enjoys

When she licks Collette?

Getting to his knees
Billy goat enjoys the plants
Just over the fence.


















The sky has darkened
And now the wind is rising;

When will the rain come?






















The emperor stump
Now ringed by his tall courtiers.

(My, these kids grow fast).

I swallowed several bugs;

Was indifferent to their taste.

(I don't want seconds.)

These clever mushrooms

Disguise themselves as dead leaves.

(Why do they do that?)

Sown by Idiots

Solitary leaf 

Lies damp on the porch railing--

It's just blending in.

Leaves resting on leaves,

Stopping on their way to earth;

Bowing to kinship.

Perched on a trash can--

Wicker basket out of place;

(But it adds some class).

On my left--stream sound;

Ahead the brightened mountain;

In eyes, fucking flies.

Evergreen branches

Filled with newly fallen leaves,

Look like new species.

New white flowers bloom

On the old cut-off tree trunk:

Fungus has its way.

Brown woods are dappled

By soft strokes of the sunshine;

Without any sounds.

Shiny beer can lies

Nestled in the growing plants;

Sown by idiots.