December Fog

Winding over fast roads
through shrouded hills, 
we see the familiar valley
disappear
under a white sea,

                   human confusion 
                   dissolving
                   into pure cloud.

                                   over frozen white roofs
                                   beyond the veiled ridge
                                   the dark disc rises.

                                    Black dawn 
                                    breaks the long night

                                    and spills dirty light 
                                    over the waking city.

                   In the twilight sky
                   shadow shapes
                   fly in V 
                   over still trees, 
                   looking for rest,

any place to touch 
soft, giving ground 
and call it 
a nest.

(16 Dec 2010)

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)