childhood fears
the coldness of the cloister
resolved into words

resting on my diary
moonstone rosary

bead by bead
I count my blessings
this January thaw

snowpuddle -
tremble of the sun

Galileo
slams into Jupiter
wolves howl at the moon

blood-red headlines
disperse another bomb

just muffled sounds
of shuffling feet . . .
village soup kitchen

step step slide step step slide
his hand on my back sweaty

so many years . . .
he gently helps her
to her bowed arthritic legs

overhead red-tailed hawks
ride the thermals

narrow sunbeam
between giant pines
. . . the pinfeather

Sprouting Grass Moon come and gone
snow lingers

in Great Lake winds
the scent of roasting fish
. . . Ojibway drums

after taps we fold the flag
a neat triangle

sudden darkness -
in that heavy cloud
all her sorrow

funnel!
dive for the cellar

up nine steep steps
Grandpa lugs the old brown crock
- dandelions in bloom

on a bare branch
yellow owl eyes

in giant V's
the geese come north
Mississippi flyway

sunset aerobatics:
his message of love

a real valentine -
fast and fervent
Hallmark be damned

in brisk winds
lilacscent

zéphyr
Babar's compatriot
in French and English

snuffing the candle with a yawn -
revered translator

low in the west
new moon
pencil-thin

column of refugees
so far so close

long ago the
blazing cottonwood the
goldenrod

after dark
a cougar's steady stare

the homeless
double-jacketed tonight
I look away

night sky
that point of light

holy picture
with my report card
Jesus on the cross

in the doorway
Mother arms akimbo

as she nears,
kitchen-comfort scent ...
vanilla

burning leaves
again we brace for winter

red suit -
attic light catches dust
and his jolly smile

in our beds we wait
pretending to be asleep