In the autumn rain
 
a stray dog looks for shelter
 
in my garden shed.

 
 
First sunrise of spring—

a child in a bomb shelter

writes a new poem.

 
 
 

In a sheltered place
 
beyond the winter mountains
 
a plum tree blossoms.

 
 
 

Windy afternoon—
 
a feral cat seeks shelter
 
from the icy blasts.

 
 
 

On the mountain path
 
I seek a place to shelter—
 
autumn thunderstorm.

 
 
 

Despite autumn’s chill,
 
purple petunias still bloom
 
in a sheltered pot.

Shelter

 
 
 

The year’s second day—
 
in a castoff running shoe
 
a mouse takes shelter.

Crèche

 
 
 

Christmas Day blizzard—
 
a homeless man finds shelter
 
in the church’s crèche.

Sweater

 
 
 

The homeless shelter—
 
an old vet digs through the bins
 
for a blue sweater.

Seeking

 
 
 

Blackbird on the wing,
 
seeking shelter for the night,
 
will your flight be long?