Staring Into the Fog
After Giovanni Pascoli
I stared into the fog
and wondered what remained
of last night and what was gone?
I strained my eyes
and saw a small fleck of moving
birds who sang with sharp voices.
I looked high and low
and could make the outline of
trees mostly hidden. I was startled
by a barking dog.
I could sense it was close and
there were human footsteps near.
I took a quick look
down at my feet and I saw the fog
and nothing else, not even my
shoes. The fog was thick.
The trees, mostly hidden, will not
stand forever. I stared long and hard
at a shadow in
the distance. I saw a head and
in an instant it was swallowed up
by the fog. The birds
continued their song. The dog
barked on and on. The human
footsteps were near and far.
The Colors of the Sky
Peering into the dying sun
through a partial cloud,
waiting for twilight and
straggling stars. I have
nothing better to do
then to stand outside
and wait for the colors
of the sky to change.
Without sunglasses I am
certain to go blind. It
would be a comfort to me.
I have seen too much.
I saw you walk away for
the last time. This is it
for me. I have nothing
else to look forward to.
Perhaps a change in
the color of the sky
would bring brighter
thoughts to my mind.
Good Appetite
My appetite is good.
Don't you see these strong arms?
The woman smiles at me
with toothpick arms,
an eighty-pound frame
on a good day.
You don't bring me a
cup of coffee or a donut?
She shakes her fist at me,
laughing at me
with a playful smile
and grin on her face.
I miss my mother so,
Would you like something to eat?
The woman winces as
she looks through her
refrigerator, a pungent
odor came out.
You bring your wife and kids
Next time you visit and we'll eat.
I nod at the old woman,
a single man
without children, not
even a pet.
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