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.
Diane Webster’s work has appeared in North Dakota Quarterly, New English Review, Studio One and other literary magazines. She had micro-chaps published by Origami Poetry Press in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. She was a featured writer in Macrame Literary Journal and WestWard Quarterly.