As soon as August heat breaks, weather
becomes a drug, pulls us deep
into the woods along the riverbank.
Otters romp and roll in the cool stream.
Pallid walnut leaves fall from brittle
stems where children wait on the school bus.
Silky cobwebs cluster in porch corners
& branches we bushwhack early mornings.
Temperatures collude with broccoli, kale & Bok choy
dew re-appears, suddenly, when cool air
wets enough to sweat again. Evening light
peels away every speck of haze.
Walnuts and their rachises litter the yard,
maggots magically emerge from nutshells.
Only witch hazel’s left to pollinate,
veins on leaves shuttle yellow & red
into their blades precisely the way an artist’s
brush kaleidoscopes every tree in town.
Cooler nights & a basket of butternut squash
catapults my lover to daybreak delight
then orange lit pumpkins watch a metallic bone ghost
squeak & bang with every movement at the door.
2024-01-01