Deserts I have walked
 
still somehow remember me—
 
stones and dust and thorns.

 
 
 

See this speck of dust?
 
That’s how long it’s been, my child,
 
since the mountain fell.

 

 
 
 

On the kitchen shelf
 
dust lays itself down each night
 
among the teacups.

 

 
 
 

This old stone lantern
 
where a wren once built its nest
 
now holds only dust.

 
 
 

on a wooden door
 
one red dragonfly, one blue—
 
summer turns to ash

 
 
 

A great cloud of dust,
 
settling on the thistle patch,
 
tints each blossom brown.

Rain

 
 
 

Even during rain
 
the front-porch jack-o’-lantern
 
wears a coat of dust.

Clouds

 
 
 

Dark clouds to the north—
 
perhaps an autumn shower
 
will settle the dust.

Dust

 
 
 

Backyard herb garden—
 
a passing meteor leaves
 
dust on the dill weed.

Circle

 
 
 

first day of the month—
 
a circle drawn in the dust
 
keeps a crow guessing