I.

         In a cypress grove,

Thick smoke dances around a

                     Catatonic guest.

II.

         Still on the water,

The boat’s sail has crumpled up

As the sun sets.

III.

         The shepherd’s flute sings,

Pleading with the doe, but she

                     Just stares back at him.

IV.

         The stout bullfrogs and

Solemn birds hold a congress

                     At the forest’s edge.

V.

         Tuning and plucking,

A sparrow is befriending

My old, broken lute.

VI.

         Ready and aimed, the

Rifles cracked upon the trunk.

Then snow fell on him.

VII.

         Herds of pigs gawk at

The darkened sky, puzzled by

  The tractors up there.

VIII.

         Flaxen cliffside, dusk.

An old friend, waiting for me,

Watching the ocean.

IX.

         The rattler is dead,

Sizzling by the weeping

Snake charmer’s pipe.

X.

         Schools of fish meet at

Algal spires, the choral

Bell tolling for mass.

XI.

         The little pan flute

Tickles my feet, waves my arms,

And makes me giddy.

XII.

         Yawning mules think of

Sleeping in the meadow while

Their troupe rehearses.