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

Pilgrimage: Praying For Rain

in thoughtful stutters the rain
falls to earth
I loosen the oxalis
laying a bunch on the low brick wall
tomorrow if the day is dry
I will pull some more
gather and place it in the compost bin
later we will drive to say goodbye
to the friend who died

Pilgrimage:

the child stands awestruck
before the old man
the inside of the old car
spacious tall and dark
could hold a king and his crown
or a boy and his dreams

Chill

sidewalks wet from last
night's shower and the continuing mist
not warm enough to take my jacket off
but warm enough that the unexpected
cool coffee only disappointed
my day along a single ragged edge
like the gray cloud beside
the patch of blue