Home

 
 

threadbare kimono
 
a family of field mice
 
calling it their home

Sage

 
 

an old sage peers out
 
from the eyes of a youngster
 
flying a red kite

Mushroom

 
 

under a mushroom
 
the bleached bones of a field mouse
 
dissolving to dust

Runes

 
 

a single sunbeam
 
scribbling runes on fallen leaves—
 
autumn graffiti

Dervishes

 
 

fallen leaves rise up
 
at the bidding of the wind—
 
whirling dervishes

Answers

 
 

if you need answers
 
listen to the corn growing
 
under a full moon

Core

 
 

first day of autumn
 
someone leaves an apple core
 
at the wayside shrine

Cobwebs

 
 

first day of autumn
 
only one leaf has fallen
 
cobwebs on the rake

Matins

 
 

last day of summer
 
a cricket creaking matins
 
prayer flags keeping time

Journey

 
 

for the long journey
 
nothing but an empty bag
 
and a broken staff