Poetry

   

Ducks on Pond

The pond is silent

before the sun

sleepy eyes blink

at water’s edge

a black hole

it seems to be

no light reaches

the darkened water

a faint light

starts to show

along the waters rim

where trees loom

when the sun bursts

along the banks

life is revealed

in its depth

a flutter of wings

an atrocious noise

ducks have escaped

nighttime pens

the stoic surface

of the water

is broken, rudely

violated at first

feathered bodies

quickly glide in

becoming one with

water’s surface

silene ensues as

the ducks glide

along the surface

no ripples arise

the pond is awake

thanks to the ducks

announcing 

residents to begin the day

Gail Johnston.

The Seed

in early summer

winter wheat stands

in the blackened soil

it grows

stretching to reach

the strengthening sun

wiggling its toes in

warm soil

tenacious weeds grow

in the ditch

in the field they’re

not allowed

summer sun strengthens

growth is unnoticed

even the weeds

 are prolific

milkweed pods swell

the wheat turns

brown and rigid

they stand

at its peak

the summer sun

causes pods to burst

releasing seed

milkweed fluff drifts

across the field

gently landing on

rigid wheat

summer evening walk

through ripened wheat

their heads caress my

wanting hands

closing my eyes

feeling their urgency

to burst revealing

their seed

milkweed seeds drift

wheat seeds revealed

I place my hand on my stomach

where my own seed is

growing

The Journey

crisp air entices emerald leaves

to the color of raw rubies

hard maples show proud colors

of molten gold

leaves sway in frigid breeze

bright new shoots fade

old leaves grow tired

they cannot hang on any longer

they let loose

into the waiting stream below swirling

unable to fight the motion

coming across a shallow pool

they are held captive

the shallow pool loses its wetness

they are stranded on the drying ground

late autumn sun dries the leaves

still sporting their rich colors

they lie there unsure

a flash of grey runs across the waiting leaves

grabbing a mouthful

placed into a waiting hole  

crimson leaves are gently laid

layered into a soft bed until  

the squirrel is satisfied

she is ready for the frosted wind

that brings ice to the stream

blowing snow upon naked limbs

leaves once perched upon

giant trees sigh

as they slumber into winter

squirrel snuggles down

colorful leaves coming

at the end of

their journey

Once More

Relenting heat
Blood colored
Consuming all in it’s path
Yellow orb
Behind the trees
Waning glow
Silence has resumed
From before
Darkness sets in
Quietly
Raven colored
Once more