just summer

i)

coffee steam
circles up
drifting through
hemlock
    aspen
       maple


ii)

coffee cups
washed and stacked away
ready for tomorrow morn

iii)

monk ponders today's duties
flips through Proverbs
reading
   praying
      meditating

iv)

rake, mower, broom and brushes

soon...

hockey equipment needs sorting

a new time

the battered boots
in need of new soles
the well worn walking stick
that weathered cloak
all stored

out come work boots
brooms and brushes
leather gloves
the old paint flecked robe
a new time

David at 34

i)

he's still the same David

built of whispered promises

 earnest ones

lingering memories

regrets

yes

this year he's still the same

David

ii)

the monk robes suit him

he wears them as a rib

a joke - his joke

on me

he laughs and rubs

my grey temple stubble

To my good blessed brother.  

He is 34.

a purge

i)

few quick j-strokes
keeping steady
on early lake waters

battered shoe box
rattles and slides
as the canoe leans

the tired monk
glides, slows, drifts
by the cliff side

they shear and plunge
cold water deep
night dark deep

the tired monk
shakes the box
over the side

ill gotten  - ill made
compasses sink
into walleye depths


ii)

only one compass remains
wrapped in tired monk robes