WATCHING THE FROST MELT ON MY NEIGHBOR’S ROOF
Sunshine lights our morning room,
enhancing colors, muted
after noon.
Across the street, facing west,
her house, next in line, for the October sun
to warm its roof.
By eight a toe-hold gained,
then a northward march
across the expanse of flat
frosted white.
One cup of coffee
and today’s work is done.
Her roof, returned to shingle tint.
Our room, again in shade.
The sun, arcing on,
risks being less
without one man’s regard.
DRK
Oct. 26, 2012
leapurr's creepers
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
OCTOBER LITANY
October’s winds, blowing in
Another winter
Practice now with leaves
Challenge the snow later
Stir me up and get me out
Snow blower and shovels ready?
Lord help me prepare
Lawnmower?
Lord, stow it where?
Paint or caulk?
Lord, help me prepare
Windows, doors, weather stripping?
Lord, help me secure
Snow tires?
Lord, help me prepare
Gutters checked?
Lord, keep them clear
Plants to bring in
Lord, they’ll need some care
Windshield scraper, I left where?
Lord, help me remember
The heated bird bath?
Lord, it will soon be December
Firewood ordered?
Lord, help me remember
Hoses put away?
Lord, I could have done that in September
DRK
5/2/16
WE CALL IT FALL
From our porch’s three seasons venue
The usual autumn views
But Erato prods
What’s new?
Wind rifling our trees
Being neighborly with our colors
The gravity of this situation
Does make me wonder
Is this why we call it “fall?”
Up the hill
Sunlight highlights the kill
Tall trees' rotting leaves
Obit
A color blast to remember
The end of October
And early November
Many songbirds will disappear
They sensed what looms
And will, as snowbirds do, warm their cheer
We do welcome
The hardy juncos
And other up-north visitors
With heated water
And stable food supplies
Their winter presence
We celebrate
With one caveat
Mr. and Mrs. Mouse
It can be dangerous
Inside our house
DRK
10/4/23
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Thinning air up here
Hair, too
Is that you over there?
No need to ask
In a younger year
Rare birds, we
Can barely see the herd down there
Check out that ladder
Sturdy
Been given some care
“Hey, stranger
May I ask?
Anchored where?”
Hope to see you soon
Climb a few more of those annual rungs
DRK
4/23/21
SEPTEMBER SENSE
High summer inches toward dog days
And low autumn
The breeze coming through the screens
Rattles the dried up leaves still clinging to the maple tree
October, a few days away
Warns, take this opportunity
To enjoy light
Laced through walnut and locust leaves
I imagine them counting down the weeks
Maybe days
'Til colder winds
Move only conifers and limbs
A different sound, indeed
Frost is next
My heated birdbath's first test
DRK
9/23/20