driving up the coast

just to feel the sweetness of

coming home again

letting the rain come —

as if there were

any other way

(In memoriam: AER)

louder than

the unringing phone —

my heart in my ear

(In memoriam: AER)

this green world

leaning into the sunlight —

I reach for your hand

(In memoriam: AER)

feet off the pedals

hands off the handlebars —

last days of summer

fresh fall perspective —

grasshoppers all the way up

on the porch

their peaks
still crowned with white —
mountains in the lake

first days of fall —

the thermometer fights

with the calendar

an empty glass

I set out for you

forgetting

our thoughts of them

just behind those swooping dives —

bats at summer’s end

just the seeds

from a dandelion

I forgot I picked

stepping ankle deep

in a creek that yesterday

wasn’t even there

the way our heads

turn in concert

at the sound of rain

the steady breathing

of the already asleep —

late night comfort

after the concert

crickets and night breezes

tuning up

dry leaves

in the gutter —

summer’s death rattle

giving in

limb by limb —

September maples

open windows —

we keep the trees up

with our talking

dawn seems

as far away as the road

we cannot see

threat assessment —

these five deer looking at me

decide to stay

early September —

we settle in, humming small

songs of comfort

so far away —

a moth dreams of

the moon

lost summer —

only the cicada’s shell

clinging to the door

relentless pounding —

roofers trying hard to stay

this side of the storm

spilled trash —

crackers so stale, even

raccoons walk away

keeping company

with this young maple sapling —

so much yet to come

train whistle —

even the crickets

stop to listen

fifteen years on  —

birthday cake and memories

with every meal

out of rhythm  —

days without you here

walk with a limp

over here hoping

all the crickets

find each other