Seasoning
This sequence of thirteen poems, cycling through a year of seasons, appeared in Many Trails to the Summit: Poems by Forty-Two Pacific Northwest Poets (Seattle, Rose Alley Press, 2010), edited by David D. Horowitz. The individual poems first appeared in Brussels Sprout, Frogpond, Geppo, Mayfly, Mirrors, Snapshots, and Woodnotes. See also the video by Steve Hodge, made in 2017, that includes many of these poems.
scattered petals . . .
the thud of my books
in the book drop +
mountain spring—
in my cupped hand
pine needles
tulip festival—
the colours of all the cars
in the parking lot
meteor shower . . .
a gentle wave
wets our sandals +
summer moonlight
the potter’s wheel
slows
first day of school—
I eat my buckwheat pancakes
in silence
a crab apple
from the highest branch
rattles down the rain spout
first cold night—
the click of your domino
as we play by the fire +
first snow . . .
the children’s hangers
clatter in the closet
warm winter evening—
the chairs askew
after the poetry reading
Valentine’s Day—
she reminds me
to fasten my seatbelt +
hospital waiting room—
the drinking fountain
stops humming
children’s
book
sh
elves