rigid tree now
where I went to be
calmed and renewed

or

where I went to be
calmed unpliable friend stares
rigid tree now

almost twilight
little boy and his cat
leap for the same firefly

encroachment
the lush ivy wrestles
with the brick wall

or

wrestling match
lush ivy versus
the brick wall

or

wrestling match
lush ivy
against the brick wall

the small
of her small back
former friend

or

the small
of her small back
a former friend

half white
night sky
Colorado

or

half white
with starlight
Colorado sky

A drop of dew
on a single blade of grass
the earth trembles

he sings
feet become jet-black
moist cool dirt

or

dancing
over cool moist dirt

feet pound the pavement
the praire grass
blows in the breeze

nest in a tree
   spring storm
      splat

or

nest in anoak
   spring storm
      empty tree

missed birds and a
petal soundlessly
holding me tight

or

missed, tatooed birds
and a petal soundlessly
embracing me then

breezy buzzing
black with pollen feet
me stepping back

autumn forest walk
leaves rustling
spirit restless

or

autumn walk
leaves rustling
restless spirit

or

autumn walk
on rustling leaves
restless spirit

gnarled fingers
polish the old silver
faded patina

more painful
than a bad love song
new dentist

racing to the top of the hill
they tumble down
laughing

lungs fill with oxygen
the runner evens out his stride

no pulse
and no watch
the doll’s wrist

or

no pulse
and no watch
her doll’s wrist

lingering in
the hallway, powder
my grandparents

or

wafting smell, powder
lingering still in the hall
absent grandparents

track meet and jazz
with dad
a long brief drive

a warm summer breeze
the curtains dance
music fills the air

coward you are
punching fists at flies
you meek to me

cheeping baby bird
one last peep
happy cat

or

cheeping baby bird
one last peep
smug cat