hot afternoon:
cat’s eyes flash
with the sun glow
Category: Issue 02
Surprise summer rain
Rhododendron lifts its leaves
Dog takes a nap
the curve of her nails
as she hands me –
milk bread matches
country churchyard–
the shimmer of spiderweb
between the gate posts
summer moon—
strumming love songs
on an old guitar
In the mud-pond
fragments of hearts everywhere:
the lotus leaves.
Monsoon dawn
Shadow of cloud on mountain
Hermit lost in meditation.
summer evening
just before the storm
breaks
Second story bird song
The doves have returned to their nest
Beneath the roof tile
in midst of stillness,
the summer’s breezes decide
to wake the wind chimes
The water lily
in the sun and stagnant water.
Dragon fly in flight.
bruised sky over hills
smell of dust on a cool gust
splatter of first drops
row next door
we break off our argument
to listen
The old citadel–
ramparts overwhelmed by
dandelions.
pale puddles
sound of an air wrench
from the open garage
last stars fading . . .
today’s morning glories
unfurl unnoticed
first night of summer …
neither the mockingbird
nor I can sleep
pinned to the desk
by a calculator
the monthly bills
up from behind
the Seven-11 sign –
August moon
stone-skipping
this time
three times
deep in the woods–
all the shadows bend
toward home
50’s photo
her atomic breasts point
to the future
reflected
in the toaster’s shine
two ripe tomatoes
flapping of wings
in the chestnut tree
a feather
summer wind —
dry grasses flowing one hill
into another
a fan blows in
the street’s scent
summer rain
the wind swings
the branch of dog rose
and a blackbird’s song
the long walk
her hand finds
mine
windy day–
the outdoor furniture
rearranged
twilight-
pink bougainvillea over
both sides of a wall
koi pond
cat eyes note
each swirl
wasp
reflected gold
in morning sunlight
party in the new house-
a wasp looks for a place
to build its nest
in full bloom…
the forgotten
onion
looking closer
another flower blooms
within the rose
The sunburned
garden grass bends
towards the ground.
flying a kite
the girl with a red bow
on her hair
cool evening-
a fish nudges a pebble
in the aquarium
Old house for sale –
in the sidewalk cement,
mother’s handprint
writing a haiku
in the sand. . .
a wave finishes it
Lingering heat
taste of hibiscus tea
on your lips
long before daybreak
the local rooster
starts warming up
a dragonfly
lifts off the crumpled weeds –
its shadow
a bench in the park –
wind browsing the newspapers
of a sleeping man
summer drought-
the Zen garden
in bloom
rain
each drop falling exactly
on its own spot
last light rays,
the old cowboy lopes along
across the tv screen
Waves wash in,
waves wash out again–
late summer.
A path in the shade.
The moon above the meadow
riding on a cloud.
stuck in a crack
of the old house’s roof beam
engraved wedding ring
Up the cherry tree –
her wheelchair’s shadow
climbs slowly
summer’s end
at the high-water mark
pilot whales
sharp voices
from behind the curtain
autumn night
morning haze
atop a midtown building
a crane at work
Chill morning:
breathing in the last jasmine,
exhaling mist
get rich quick
hot young girls want you–
morning email
quiet autumn day
only passing traffic
make the leaves whirl
fallen leaves
scratch at the window
the shade quivers
honeymoon over
in their suitcases
traces of confetti
rain letting up
slow trickle of children
back to the street
before sunrise
swaying in a light breeze
a spider’s web
late for work
queens ann’s lace
crowds the freeway
lulled by crickets . . .
the silence when they
stop
first cold day–
steam rises
from the bread pudding
A load of wood
on her frail back–
autumn evening
inside my kitchen~
a hummingbird
tasting red chili lights
gray october day,
the maple leaves
that much brighter
cocktail party
the businessman’s name tag
upside down
Brooklyn Navy Yard
the sounds from a playground
across the river
gloomy autumn day
her full red lips
a beacon
The rotten apple
lies on a dried
field flower.
after the ebb
little fingers
spelling out his name
torn blue recycle bag:
the ants trail
in and out
on a sleepless night
counting chirps of a cricket…
train whistle sounds out
flapping of wings
on the boat canvas
guano
angry neighbors
I must find the stray dog
another home
tiny mushrooms
and bedewed spider webs –
reeking first leaves
neglected birdbath
overflowing
with autumn leaves
October night winds
shuffle through the underbrush
scaring up shadows
naval station
the clanging of rope
on the pole
Night surrounding me,
Wind howling through leafless trees –
I quicken my steps.
autumn chill
last of the snow curled up
in a maple leaf
Quiet evening,
reading –
the baby breathing on the monitor.
this whole windowsill
full of small green tomatoes
jay sky
clipping toenails –
each one chooses
a new direction
Soft footsteps
of students bunking
class test
raven cries
at the top of the old tree
first yellow leaf
urban highway
a young man walking
the divider
Wet bodies
of bathing women-
full moon night
After the argument –
quiet
when I walk in the room.
neighbor’s dog howling –
the moon, gold-yellow and huge
sitting on my lawn
Slowing behind
three girls, the sidewalk
three girls wide
underground tunnel
the brilliance
of the sidewall lights
She flies high, alone.
Far below, the rainforest.
Philippine Eagle.
Therapy session:
I watch the crow fly across
The city limits.
early december —
the downward drift
of northern gulls
wild flock of parrots
sudden multitude of green
on winter branches
December night —
the rise and fall
of chanting voices
ancient cemetery —
in a leafless tree
a few persimmons
winter the shadows of a crow on a tree
December gusts
two squirrels making squirrels
on the woodshed
Rereading my poems
outside the post office
Mostly cloudy
the old man
woken from sleep remembers
he has 10 great-grand kids
temple bell ringing
one thousand times. . .
winter rain
bag lady
tied to her hat
a Christmas bell
thickening clouds–
in a snow-covered field
the elk crowd together
Enveloping
all of the moon at night–
white chrysanthemums
in December dusk
a solitary pine tree
all lit up
winter solstice —
in the antique store, a toy
from my childhood
new year’s eve-
the party’s noisemakers
in the rest room