Dog

Steady winter rain—

the old dog nuzzles closer

to his master’s leg.

Quilts

from three hanging quilts

leftover laundry water

leaking on the lawn

purple umbrella—

sheltering under its arch

from the winter rain

in an old shoe box

a family of field mice

preparing supper

Obeying the wind

a red dragon kite rises

above the temple.

Little brown sparrow,

even with a broken wing

you keep on singing.

The same apple tree

coaxed to life by Van Gogh’s brush

now blooms in my dreams.

over steaming tea

discussing the election—

a shift in the wind

lonely sea and sky—

splintered old ship of sorrows

carrying me home

beyond the lamppost

setting out on a journey

that may never end