earth note 593

this one

came from many places
before it landed
on the page
when there's no sunlight
to wake you
there's always
a cold sweat
it breaks out
and leaves tracks
though you never notice them
right away
pretty soon there will be shadows
at the base of the maples
that seem gentle
but you know you've been fooled
before
each leaf casts its own profile
never duplicated
the mourning dove will speak
the wind will rise and carry it
until you notice

--- e b bortz