fertile fields reside
along the river’s sides
Deep Shadows
river rocks
wear fall’s colors
Ice Jam
After an incomplete thaw
the river becomes its own obstacle.
Ode to Winter
The wind writes its snowy message
along the frozen river.
River Run
Sunlight skates
atop the river
gliding on the cold
Cold Creek
The creek moves fast cutting its way
through the meadow towards the river
trying to outrun the inevitable freeze.
Quilted Sky
Tucked under a blanket of clouds
the river valley rests.
Deer Place
Bare birch
rise like antlers
on the mountain head.
Current
Rocks and trees know not to struggle
but to simply stay until the appointed time comes to go.
Change is forever pulling or pushing.
Do not begrudge the current its way.
Mygolomorph
Tarantula of tree roots
dips its many wooden legs into the river
and awaits its kayak prey.
In Place
An open stretch of sky, grass as soft as velvet
the wandering Connecticut River within reach;
all is well, God is near.
Calm
Midday by the river just the barest of breezes blows
and the only sound is of bees and dragonflies at work.
Big Rock
Sit on the big rock
in the sunshine by the river.
Let the water wash your worries away.
Let the birds sing the song in your heart.
Other Side
Eternal is the longing to be on the other side.
White Water
Old oak leaves
shoot the rapids
of March’s thaw.
River Road
Take the slow way home along River Road.
Rest on the shoulder, marvel at the canopy of clouds.
Wide Sky
The southern wind announces Spring is on her way to us.
These clouds are ruffles on her petticoats.
Winter Conspiracy
Comrades of the cold
the trees and the river share and keep
their secrets of the silent season.
Winter’s Light
In this year of little snow
the cold seems to bring edges into focus.
Batchelor
Raft of Ducks
They venture forth
for a final swim
before the river freezes them out.
Before the Silence
The river moans
as ice begins to creep from bank to bank
silencing it for the winter.
Wind and Reeds
The river wears the weather like a skin
a snake skin she sheds from season to season
She slithers into winter, slowly slowed until dormant.
Pine Grove
This is the spot
to rest on the plush pine needle carpet,
listen to the song of the leaves and the river
and hear the wisdom of your own heart.
Journey
Bridge
The span links neighbor to neighbor,
above the river, across state lines.
Community knows no jurisdiction.
Reflections
The images of the day
roll across the river’s surface.
A moving picture that will only show once.
River’s Edge
The bank is soft as an easy chair.
The water a cool embrace.
The sky is as blue as a robin’s egg.
Perfect summer day.