Thursday, November 29, 2007

Just a Red Barn



It sits like a fat lady spreading her red skirt.
It looks self-satisfied holding close memories of my childhood;
Memories of the late summer’s sweet scent of bailed alfalfa,
Memories of the warm fall breath of the calf,
Memories of the barn swallows’ territorial dance with my dog.

From the ridge of the roof, sitting on warm tin
I saw the world while on the edge of womanhood.
My eyes scanned the snow capped Rockies at the edge of my domain.
I watched a tractor in the near distance kicking up dust in a field,
And nearer watched the workers scar the earth for a new school.

From the inside I watched golden dust sparkle in the sunlight
Dancing through the floor of the loft.
Standing still in black shadows I listened to brown field mice scutter against the wall
And heard the low contented sound of the cows in the adjacent stall
Waiting to be milked and fed.

The farmer and his wife have passed away.
The old red barn is empty now and does not know its days are numbered.
It must move its fat ass and make room for progress,
For plain new architecture
That will shelter only mediocre memories.

(Motivation for this came from Cate.)

Saturday, November 17, 2007

November



The wind pushes you along with hurried speed.
The leaves race ahead in full tumble at your feet.
Shadows of impetuous clouds touch the path resembling racing ghosts.
Like White Rabbit you feel late for some ephemeral date.
This season climaxes carelessly and crazily.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Treasures


The trees have put on their Jezebel dresses and have begun their exotic dances tossing gleaming leaves of color like exotic strippers. Others on the forest floor, not to be outdone, have put on their best jewels to catch the eye.