earth note 44

the mist along the beaver river
leaves a crooked path
for those who follow in its
footsteps

an orange morning cloud is surrounded
by gray ones
may be the face of a seeker
a passion shiftless unfulfilled

in the northwest corner a yellow cumulus cluster
refuses to yield
an alter of its peers speak
from voi-dom
i do not listen

we live by the river and look past
the footprints of yesterday

--- e b bortz

(published in ordinary shoes, #2, 1997)