Pilgrimage: Last Steps

how lovely the narcissus
against the tree trunk
celebrating the turning of seasons
glorious mounds of flowers
here and there a lily
while Winter has just begun
the final steps of its pilgrimage
into tomorrow

Endings:Pilgrimage

the world did not end today
though the last child went to
his silent grave
though evil spoke of
other people's madness
though the politicians went home
after accomplishing nothing
though the rain fell in cold
bursts of intensity
though the good remained powerless
in their houses
the world did not end today

Pilgrimage: Darkness

we know that we are walking into darkness
we know that the road winds toward endings
that there may be no tomorrow
but when we adjust their backpacks
and ask if they have their lunch
we do think the light will go out so swiftly

Pilgrimage: Changing

the pink camellia bursts
open its ruffled petticoat
petals enticed by days of rain
layers of layers of perfect
pink