Inconstancy

lost in the land
where the grass is always greener
on the other side

they wander about,
plucking at this and at that,
never satisfied

the next will taste better
the herbs they select will be sweeter
the sun will reveal all the last light belied

to sit in a field ,
under one tree
and see how it changes,

how day becomes slowly night,
would bring a more lasting delight
through sunsets and dawns.

cold winds may blow and the sun grow hot
there may be storms,
and the leaves will fall.

without sun and rain there’s no rainbow
the pot of gold is right here

 

 

 

Beach Fire

all week we gathered driftwood
following the storm
and dragged it to the yard
to dry out in the sun

i watched you racing children
jumping rock to rock
always sure-footed
you never made a slip

pied piper running,
Cheshire cat grin
always on the tide line
when the tide is coming in

the tides come in
the tides go out
sunset, moonlight, dawns
each day the wood is drying

we built the fire together
just beyond the waves
carefully constructed
encouraging the flame

we threw more wood on
as the light began to fall
we sat and watched the sun go down
a blazing golden ball

passing strangers watching
stood on the path above
they thronged like curious moths
you called them to the fire

they ask do we live here
they say how fortunate we are
you smiled and wandered off
always to the tide line

i watched you from afar
the waves rolled in
the waves rolled out
beneath the evening star