Fading Light: Nature Series

She was looking in
Through the sliding glass door
That overlooks the river.

A small doe standing
In the yard bathed
In the fading light
Of a Fall day.

Curious. Wary posture.
Looking at us in our
Rocking chairs as
We drank a beer
And looked back.

Her deer logic worked
In its wild way
She reckoned us a
Threat and tensed
Her whole body coiled.

She made a half
Pirouette on pointed
Hooves, muscles bunched
In her back legs and she
Exploded, springing
Away into the trees.

She left only the fading
Light and an indelible
Memory.

Turkey Trot: Nature Series

It was a little after
Sunrise when the
Wild turkeys came
Strutting into the
Front yard
Two big birds overseeing
Five youngsters.

Pecking industriously at
Whatever it is they
Eat, all business
Building up their
Reserves for those cold
Winter days soon
To come.

Subtle colors all
Brown and gray
With hints of blue.
Can birds be proud?
They seemed so
Doing their work
Imperiously moving in
Solemn procession along
The road’s edge.

I went out the door to
Cheer their parade but
They raced away in a
Feathery flash.

Usual Things

Today the sun came up in the usual way
As the world lightened
Everything around seemed about the same
Carefully nature’s common events
Came to pass
Breezes blew their soft fingers
Against sheer curtains
Clouds made their airy journey
Across early autumn skies
Birds began their melodic work
Using the same refrains learned
Over centuries
Grass continued growing and fall flowers
Cast up their familiar blooms
All the creatures of this realm performed the
Necessary tasks of their existence

You didn’t need to continue to love me
And yet you did.