a spring walk

striding deeper
down a grown in path
by the dry creek bed

something moves
out in the clearing
just a corner eye glimpse
move in a little closer
peer through
the new birch leaves

a raccoon playing
with her spring kits

tired fox

tired fox
flicking through
the early morning shadows

bone weary
from moonlit stalking
yet sated
on mallard flesh

nestled
down deep
in her musty den
as the sun
breaks the ridge

talk

I don't
want to
talk
about it.

let me think
on the lost lyrics
spinning out
of crackling vinyl

no words
just strumming
what you feel
chords
hammered pulled
dashed
with vibrating notes

Early Spring Forest Poem

thick icy drip falls
  plunges
from white pine heights
gaining velocity

clips a frozen leaf
sending it spinning
moving like a mouse
fooling a young
pouncing fox


the Tired Monk 

winter lights

Christmas light strands
hang down dead n'dim
clattering
in the north wind

power flickers
with each cold gust

low rumble
out beyond
the curve
blue lights flash
whirl into view

the county plow
pushing back
 deep snow
 and darkness


the Tired Monk

temple gates

no need for locks
or latches hooking
the gates tight

no footprints
will disturb the new
dusting snow

oh this lonely temple

tired monk's courage

courage

to face the razor
don the robes
nights of hard duty

to take on most
 holy vows
to retreat deep
tend the hearth fires
walk the walls
guard the sacred gates

to pray
look within
find the strength
to walk down
from the temple
and serve