Limited Vision

Calisthenics on the river beach
is my reason to be there for
the dogs to roll in smelly debris,
scamper over rock and sand, stare
in fearful questioning, ears alert
at the duck drifting with his mate
quietly watching back they startle,
flee the waters leaving us wondering
at the hasty ripples on calm waters,
no wind to whip up superficial waves,
where the grey reflective river meets
a silvery cloud of sky descended to
a close horizon, hiding the other shore
where blue trees rise out of mist,
there where we desire to see out
to harbour's end and beyond,
the very sky hosting the sun
plays wool-gatherer with the clouds,
hiding from view what comes next--
future sailing or landed living.

Rain, again

thunder wakes from deep waters of sleep--
listen to the rain pounding the roof
as if the heavens divided up a great river,
sending it to earth through a seive,
washing pollen from grass to street,
filling the drains with excess fertility,
leaching the chem-lawns next door same as
flooding our manured mulches down to the curb;
lay awake and think of later soggy dogs,
wet shoes squeaking on the steps,
finding the umbrella for a Saturday outing--
but first let sleep enshroud the memory
and wake to measure the coffee grounds
which suffer the drip of hot springs
into the cup of human comfort.

Raining

The assignment of days comes upon us
As surprise, unasked life granted
To the sleeping eyes of unborn men.

Waking, I need to fill the hours
Impose limits upon the moments
That fill my mind's space with promise.

The expectation of fulfillment
Rests like a gilt cloak upon our shoulders,
Heavy with our doubts, a cement-like lining.

Whence the requirement of this destiny?
But leave the question for another hour--
Man must eat, he must heed nature's lawful demands.

What demands, these, I pause to wonder,
What pressure of time, the clock ticking,
What many needs, what judgement waiting!

I look and watch the tree--so many trees--
Choose but one and see how it grows,
Rooted daily in one plot of earth.

How the root presses down for drink,
While branches reach for strength
Heavenward they sway, firmly bound they remain.