Monday, April 30, 2012

Love Is


Sometimes love looks like a middle aged 
guy in boxers doing dishes by hand
in a cold kitchen at 5:30 AM.

Teeth of Night


Pine trees along the ridge
jagged against darkening blue 
like a vintage crosscut saw
mounted over the woodshed door.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Runoff


The brown creek
snow fed, rain swollen 
gallops into the pasture
tossing it’s white mane
races round the bend
under the footbridge
away.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Honey Dew?


I’m paused out in the front yard 
verbally running over my chores: 
“Bird feeders filled
cat food out
compost out
firewood in...”
Husband on his way from truck to shop calls, 
“What’s that?”
“Nothing - just going over my checklist.”
“OK.  I was just checking to see 
if it was a Chuck list!”

Friday, April 20, 2012

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Nest Building

Pygmy nuthatch heaves
off the pine forest floor
beak-burdened with something
half it’s own length and 
stutter flies - rapid wings,
glide, stall, rapid wings -
to the hollow aspen knot.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Blue Heeler

The landlord’s loose bitch
dashes snarling
bouncing on rigid legs,
I grip the furled umbrella
shout, lunge
sloshing adrenalin.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Curiosity or Defense?

Today the tiny chipmunk at the concrete pile
has a friend and they are alert to me
the approaching upright animal; 
they dash away to the far end of the ties
then race back.  One comes to the tie end 
nearest me, pauses, little abdomen heaving 
with the flutter of lungs 
or heart (I can’t tell)
twitch-tails and bright-eyes me
then dives out of sight and surfaces fifteen 
feet down the jumble of concrete castoffs.  
I ease along the grassy path beside the heap
six feet beyond I turn to watch 
again one chipmunk scurries boldly near
running behind my heel;  I tilt my head 
searching and it darts away.  Tomorrow
I will bring three or four sunflower seeds, 
not to disrupt their economy, just enough
to show myself a friend.

In  small stone form: 
 
Chipmunk stops to eye me
little abdomen heaving 
with the flutter of lungs 
or heart (I can’t tell.)

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Sacramental Laundry

Snap the tee shirt flat 
bring it to my heart
fold in this sleeve 
fold in that sleeve
gratitude and well wishing
for growing body and spirit
soon to be clothed 
fold up the bottom
precious son, treasured daughter
peace and blessing forever
let the top fall 
stack with the rest
amen.

Cheerful Mess

Carmine red washcloth
butter yellow tee 
rumpled together on taupe tile.