Vaughan Williams

brown wool

three piece

walking through yard leaf-littered

orange and yellow deaths            rustling

I meet him in autumn air

weathered face of sea-worn crags

unsmiling

hand warm and tender in greeting

tells me of his drive along tree-lined roads

wind singing through half-bare branches

bringing to mind ancient songs of the earth

and the birds winging into a cloudy sky

we sit on porch looking out

at world wonder              and

wait       wish for

peace

lovely and leaf-littered

blood moon

awake at six

October morning of frost on shingles

grass blades

darkness teeters with dawn

donning leather jacket and slipping into shoes

unlock front door and brace the coolness

on the front driveway

look west just above

branches

dark leaves holding on for another few days

orange disc hovers

floats

dark patches

one edge already lightening

the dusk of a million sunsets glowing

blood moon

this eclipse week of mixed moods

and muddled thoughts

eclipsing sleep                   and peace           and life

until all is glowing

red with rage

above scratching branches

family photo

foot lifted

perhaps to scratch at a bite

she illuminates with free-from-care

smile

of the youngest

short blond hair result of

preschool friend haircut

mother’s finger extends

like a tether touching     her sleeve

making connection

here

arm draped over pigtailed shoulder

of five-year old                                 squinting into camera

uncertain smile body quarter turned

little shy               wanting to please

mother’s other hand

firm

around boy’s shoulder

he in the middle

of saying something

mouth in half pucker

black cap pushed up on animated head

white hair peeking out

smile of mother

saying

this is me

my life

my lot

and it’s ok

beside father in my

red shirt

bare feet firm on sidewalk

in front of house

windows              green shutters                  white and pink petunias

shouting the HA of here and now

and the face forward

smile of possibility

moments (Chick Corea at the Burt)

strides out and

bows to our happy cheers

and takes an iPhone picture of us

jazz begins

it’s all about time

infinite

and these fleeting moments

of never-againness

solos on grand like

glinty sun in

prairie                   sky

tango for ana

dances the stage

after an hour he slips off

white linen jacket

getting down to business

“we love to play”

smiles and laughs

drum beats out

three     note      portal

and we join in    journey to

forever

time tapped out by feet

under piano

playing cross duples and triples

like Winnipeg streets

wipes hands on white towel

before another

spontaneous                     concerto

moments remembered

in broad outlines by the feelings

that rise like butterflies

wings fluttering in warm breeze

colours blurring in the sun-shaped shadows

a flute floating above

chaotic chords and beats

he is here

now

in the music

and with the people

captured with a quick pic