Spend Time in a Field

Leave the gate open

as the crescent moon 

hangs low in the west.

Walk slowly on the path

past the pond

to the place you planted

sunflowers, cosmos, and zinnias

in May.

Though the pumpkins and butternut

have all been eaten by the ravenous whitetails,

the flowers have unfolded and the palette of purples,

pinks, yellow, and red glow radiant

as the light fades into fall.

I walked with my son into this field tonight

gathering armfuls of the happy faces of blossoms

into bouquets that will shine something like joy

into each of the days of the coming week.

Careful not to wake the occasional bee

curled into the petals we have picked, 

we speak in reverent voices,

considering the trials;

the most common chaos

where God has forgotten the dust

she left in the corners

of anger, disappointment,

and the doubt of grief.

We stand together, silent

listening to the way night 

opens the door

with barely an effort

or flicker of force.

Morning Pages

Two broad-winged hawks

I spotted and tried to identify

in the green bird book,

perched in the dead branches

of the maple

nearly out of sight,

just at the edge of the field,

absorbing the heat of the morning,

just at the edge of this summer.

The grey squirrel's

staccato movements below

were just what the menu required.

Heads turned deliberately,

knowingly not giving away 

their superior location.

It is slightly cool in the chair 

next to the desk

in the dim light.

The season has turned me

to the larger mug for my tea

and the warmer red robe

the children bought 

as an offering for my birthday

nearly twenty years ago.

From this perch

I can see the overgrown weeds

and cherry tomatoes dropping

in the diminishing garden;

the black-eyed Susans

drying on the stems

and fat marigolds

in all their puffed-up glory.

The clatter from the kitchen

and shuffle of old slippers

will not distract me

from these morning pages

while I watch twenty-five turkeys

gather, parade, and cluck 

content and oblivious 

to my admiration.