friends I’ve yet to meet

poetry compadres

whose work I so admire

cabernet’s deep red

a few bites of cheese, a cracker or two

scent of sandalwood

rain-water gurgle down a leaf-clogged drain

gentle patter of window-mist

alone in my reverie

cutting back all that dying green

mulching, pruning, storing away summer things

the grand satisfaction of practicality

~ for Mom

remnants of a storied quilt

fabrics stitched with love, hand-sewn bindings

mother’s fruitful legacy

November

rains

catch me

unaware

pale-red maple

some few leaves remain

looking past winter solstice