Ohio stretches endlessly blue

Ohio stretches

endlessly blue

like the infinite wind

sightless and cold

piercing my

coatless soul

like the agonized snows

of spring.

(20 July 2016)

Deleware Reservoir is flooded

Deleware reservoir is flooded.

Delicate pools

of blue reflect

the fleeting arch of a heron ascending

as I wait

by the lakeside.

(20 July 2016)

Elegy for Mary

Tree and Woman in Fog: Mt. Davidson

It’s cold today

though the sun rises

as usual.

                     

Routine

binds together days

and keeps my gaze

firmly fixed on

here and now.

First coffee,

then showered and dressed

I start another commute

down wet roads,

through misty

grey hills;

but today I stop

and think of you

your gentle laugh, the joy

buried In a cold Ohio field

and my throat tightens.

I can’t breathe, my eyes blur

until deeply sighing

I whisper the prayer

you taught me

and again see

the living world

with unclouded eyes

and go on.

(1 Dec. 2012)

The Road Waits

The road waits,
but I’m not ready.

I pause, cradled by soft leather
In this silent room,
listening to morning’s
soft breath stirring
the glimmering summer leaves,

as the perched bird
gazes through my open window
into my wondering eyes
and waits.

But this is a good morning to wait.

Look how the extravagant grass waves,
and truant weeds luxuriate along the fence,
while in the small central garden
red flowers gather like
warm, slumbering children
under the wide,
spreading vine!

But still the road waits.

I’ve seen
the glistening pavements
slide under my rolling wheels,
the river to my right,
green Ohio rising
into northern forests,
and misty Kentucky
calling to me
across the wide,
glittering waters.

The road goes on,
and I cannot
wait.

(16 March 2011)

French Park Creek

Deep in the woods

down the steep trench

we call to each other -

to the creek we descend

through green shadows rushing

over shallow, smooth stones,

to deeper, dark  pools

where love lies, alone.  

Hand in warm hand

we run, holding tight

and laughing we fall

to our own secret night.