December 2024
Bio Note: I'm a nature-lover nestled into the Northwoods waterways of Wisconsin where I have retired. My family visited this region when I was a child and its beauty will never grow old, even as I do. My latest poetry collection is Something Novel Came in Spring (Water's Edge Press, 2021). Find me in the woods, on a boat, with my grandsons or at my website (above).
Autumn's Honorable Mention
Wind works its way through forest’s dazzling display,
sweeps up a blaze of kaleidoscope leaves.
Like tamaracks I’m still green, do not stand out,
but am blessed with blue jays, squirrels, chickadees.
In my autumn I too will amaze, you will see.
But not when leaves are golden, scarlet, starlit.
Slow, steady, late as usual, I’ll come to light
like tamaracks aglow against leafless trunks.
The Universe Grants Council
Down-hearted for days I decide
to take a winter ride.
A flash of silver hits my windshield,
startles the ice-scraper out of my hand.
A Morning Dove flips from glass to garage,
a vast, dark shadow, Coopers Hawk,
careens in after it, exits the service door.
I collect myself, tiptoe in, look around.
The dove is sheltered behind recycle bins.
Hazel eyes meet ebony eyes; we freeze.
A close call, I whisper, but you’re safe,
back away, leave it alone.
Later, it ventures out but needs
encouragement to take leave.
I guide it with soft sweeps of mail I fetched.
After several false starts it takes flight,
lights on a snowy tree, rests a moment,
soars out of sight.
Disheartened from my own false starts,
I sigh, smile, nod, take in the lesson.
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