if someday you discover
clouds have filled my eyes

if I can no longer whisper
our sweet language in your ear

you must open the window
allow the purity to claim me

I promise you, my love
it will bring me to the meadow -

go to that luxuriant heaven
stippled with Queen Anne’s stars

look for all that is moved
by the invisible

the prescient leaves, turning over
wanting to be touched by the rain

the tender undulation
of wildflowers

listen for my heart
in the rising flutter of birds’ wings

look for the lone deer, at a distance
in-between the trees

the one that raises its head when you appear
stands still, as if spellbound

the one that gazes for a long moment
deep into your eyes
                        

descending undulations
fluttering of earth yellow, burnt orange
last hints of green

soggy, white, wooly sheep
black stockings and muzzles¬

two old brown ponies
swayed backs and sagging bellies
stand by a wet, gray fence

they talk of the coming winter chill
the arrow shape of southbound geese
the luck and sweetness of a fallen apple
as they twitch their thick corn silk tails
                        

when the white paper birch
drops her golden feathered dress

her long, thin, shapely limbs 
and peppered skin revealed

she wiggles her twiggly fingers
calling autumn friends to home

the voles burrow down and deep
between her loamy toes

shivering red cardinals
fluff and flame along her many arms

too soon, the snow
with its chilly, brittle hands

will dress her all in white
while she dreams of a verdant prince

bearing budded jewels 
to place on every warming branch

she waits for his kisses
his tender promises of spring