Flying With

[with thoughts of L. J. E., b.Jl. 29, 1910, d.Nov.7, 1960]

 Wind ends nowhere, 

Erodes sand, yardang,

Clay,  roof, 

Web, hair and lifts 

The matted woof of 

Forest floor away.

Cyclic, like night

And day, causes 

Clouds to spread, 

Spins storms to 

Shred on hills, crags, 

Drags seed onto new 

Meadows and, under

Spill and spell, leaves 

A distillate

Of rainbows (ends nowhere),

Begins in mystery.

Between, it 

Tests eternity.

Yosemite Simile

Gullies dammed on
Ice-falls raged
And bubbled.
These were troubled
Times, and cold--
Chipping footholds where
Streams overflowed
And froze into
Unforgiving glass.
A dozen times we
Lost our footing
On the pass and
Slid grasping what
Grew through --a
Foolish hike,
Winter too.

Greensward Sunrise

Impossibilities seen
Ahead of dawn
On a raw day:
An elegant ghost
Trailing across
Lawn toward
A wagon on
Slow gray wheels.
Geese untuck their heads,
Silent, not scared.
These are not spectres
Of the dead but
Dreams hauled away,
Cleared for children
Waking, children who
Will shortly wake
And come to play.

Hope Tried As An Adult

Garden party, sunlit--
Praying mantis, lurking
Under walnut leaves,
Swivels its head--
Glass and silver rattle
Under voices.
A time to receive.
A time of choices.
Sea fog glides in,
Golden monkeys clinging
To its clouds
Chattering, upset.
I set down my drink.
My dear, it's time
To leave, I think.

Ukiah

Pulsar in a
Cabbage butterfly,
White wings flashing.

Victory Garden

Anger wrapped in
Breezes, time
Entangles: a scarf
Snagged in nettles,
If I lift it, tears.

If I leave it,
Deny a need--
Silk cloth, a
Weed-- I am
Uneasy yet free

To leave, not
Forget, leave
And regret a
Scarf only--
Not icon or flag

In hope unfurled--
And anger.
I retreat into
A larger world.

Romance Of Modern Horology

As they are
I've had senses
A long time.
Got used to them.

Some lights dim.
Others, at others'
Expenses, flare.
I know time, my

Name; planet, under its
Flame, explores
Eons by season, as do
I, within reason.