"Sunlight like honey this morning,
and a stiff wind spreading it smoothly
over the bluestem." – Ted Kooser, from Winter Morning Walks










september 21


Slight breeze and cool early morning.


The bay at Black River mostly flat as glass
but for one long arm of deep ripples
that curves across the surface
from point to point at the entrance
like an arm claiming poker chips.
When I open the sliding door I notice
the chortle of songbirds has left
as if a transaction had taken place
late last night under the cover of moonlight.
The airwaves of the auditorium have been given
to the slight flapping of the aspen leaves.
A bald eagle watches over the bay
from an oak limb as if guarding
the rising cricket hum.