kisses all around
at the New Year's Eve party
behind that mask... who?

her domino suggests
a smile that forbids nothing

a rock falls
the coal miner waits to see
if others follow

the spelunker vaults across
a dark bottomless chasm

dog's waterdish
the entire harvest moon
overflows it

his barn will not hold the hay
he has to bale up the rest

time for some fall fun
they head for San Diego

winter in the sun

couples of all ages
twirl on the ballroom floor

not concerned at all
that my date does not show up
midnight katy-did

tenderly she cradles
her new birthday doll

an attic scares me
I always search for remnants
of my lost childhood

above the stalagmites
hundreds of sleeping bats

serene detachment
the moon's night view of desert
death and survival

light drizzle at dawn
rocket soars off into space

"infinite" cosmos
new galaxies discovered
billions of years deep

he adds and subtracts
using fingers and toes

Rose of Sharon
diurnal blossoms and blasts
wherefore this sadness

scent of new leaves
in the Easter bouquet

May sun
warms her mother's kitchen
breaddough rises

old yeasts are ubiquitous
we learn in home wine-making

cream and mauve
the colors of the bridesmaids'

long gowns

unlocking the old wardrobe
a rush of pent up camphor

crude oil mixed with ice
washes up onto remote shores

dead birds

depths of folly in our minds
older than the glacial snows

for months
TV covers a murder trial
accused gets off free

the heart's autumnal sadness
post-summer surfeit of love

green and gold and red
the leaves in her bouquet
elderly suitors

many species of fauna
mate often, others for life

in the cool greenhouse
cacti cast eerie shadows
harvest moon

praying for a late fall rain
he fails to specify where

fierce desert winds
leaves from afar and screeching
roof top exhaust fans

black antique car
wins first prize at the rally

botanical gardens
winter tours for kids canceled
docent's lonely stroll

woodland buffalo
shed their heavy coats

dwarf Japanese quince
first blossoms white then turn pink
leafing out later

their twin sons
born on the last day of spring

January 1995 - January 1996