Five Seasons
Sequence previously published in Into the Open: Poems from Poets of the Sixth Skagit River Poetry Festival (La Conner, Washington: Skagit River Poetry Festival, 2010), at which I was a featured poet (see festival website image at the bottom). Individual poems previously published in Brussels Sprout, Fig Newtons: Senryu to Go (Foster City, California: Press Here, 1993), Frogpond, Geppo, Mayfly, Mie Times (Japan), Mirrors, Shiki Haikusphere (Matsuyama City, Japan: Prinart/Okada Printing Co., 2007), Snapshots (England), and Woodnotes.
Spring
scattered petals . . .
the thud of my books
in the book drop +
spring breeze—
the pull of her hand
as we near the pet store
mountain spring—
in my cupped hand
pine needles
tulip festival—
the colours of all the cars
in the parking lot
Summer
meteor shower . . .
a gentle wave
wets our sandals +
summer moonlight
the potter’s wheel
slows
first star—
a seashell held
to my baby’s ear
beach parking lot—
where the car door opened
a small pile of sand
Fall
first day of school—
I eat my buckwheat pancakes
in silence
a table for one—
leaves rustle
in the inner courtyard
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 +
Winter
toll booth lit for Christmas—
from my hand to hers
warm change
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 +
Lagniappes
hospital waiting room—
the drinking fountain
stops humming
grocery shopping—
pushing my cart faster
through feminine protection
the waiter interrupts
our argument on abortion—
a choice of teas
children’s
book
sh
elves
