frightful serenity

monster with the soulful eyes

glimmering ghouls,

the body-horror

of the restless undead

her favorite university sweatshirt —

tiny hole grown larger over the years —

strategically centered where her brassiere cups

meet in the middle         no matter

that’s what turtlenecks are for,

to cover the skin, to warm the flesh

to hide what wishes could be seen

neighbor’s pontoon

takes up the entire driveway

a watery marauder

roaming dry land

~ with apologies to Gwendolyn Brooks

cinnamon spice tea

steeps in a Halloween mug

today’s choice, witchy-witch

straddling a broom

her shaded familiar

riding shotgun

breezy, brisk October morn

*

cut back the hostas, clear the patio

put flower beds to rest,

extract dahlia tubers

to store for next spring,

winterize the boat —

no more time on the water

*

transition season is underway

perverse pleasure

of an autumn shower —

may our rain gauges

quickly runneth over

Coco protects Mommy

he scares the bad guys away

so Mommy can drink her tea

in peace, so she can quietly journal

and read her poetry

in the soothing sunrays of an October morning.