“Without Them”, “Thin Thoughts”, “In the Closet”, “Between Signs”, and “Shadows Pretend”

By Diane Webster

WITHOUT THEM

The forest retreats

from the dead tree’s trunk

as it lies in state

among undergrowth

worming its way

into bleached cracks

splitting winter

into spring into chips

feeding the forest

as it edges closer

to forgetting the burial.

Like mourners glad

the ceremony is over

they flee in orderly fashion

for another tombstone to rise,

and the cemetery lives on

without them for another day.

____

THIN THOUGHTS

Clouds, thin as thoughts,

attempt a collection of jet streaks,

but threads wither and fade

into altitude winds scattering

all to a virgin blue sky.

My father stares at everything

that no longer has labels

like shiny, paperless cans

lined up on a shelf;

Dad plays explorer

by naming contents

as he pleases.

____

IN THE CLOSET

The closet moth hides in pockets

and under shirt collars.

If brave enough, on a shoulder

daring you to knock

the chip off

until the door opens,

and it flutters

into the top corner

like a naughty child

with its nose pressed

against joined walls.

Nightmare of beating its head

against a light bulb,

time after time attempting

to fly into the light

singeing its wings

into a parchment mummy

casting a shadow

blown out with the dust.

____

BETWEEN SIGNS

One sign points an arrow

to the right

while the other sign

walks a pedestrian silhouette

to the left

as if the two shall meet

where no one knows where.

Between the signs a man sits

as if he dares to witness

the collision

of the bicycle resting

on its kickstand

facing him.

A team of arrow and man

against pedestrian and bicycle

all in stagnant standoff …

this moment.

____

SHADOWS PRETEND

Tree trunk shadows pretend

they’re stairs across the dirt road

climbing the hillside

until it levels out.

Tree trunk shadows retreat

under themselves to rest

from the journey before

descending the other side.

As sure as the sun

rises and falls

from sunrise to sunset

when all shadows join

before running around

to the other side

to mirror the forest ascending

the dirt road climbing.

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