the two of us exploring 

the kimmswick bone bed

what would it be like 

to stand in the shadow

of a mastodon

vacation pictures 

taken at the edge of a cliff

the past not nearly

as exhilarating as when

it was our future

I still have

the mirror you gave me

with its gold-plated roses

not long after you

dislocated my jaw

another layer added

to the earth's core

so many chapters 

in this novel 

we may never finish

reclaiming

some lost territory 

from my childhood

 the imprint of pebbles 

 on the soles of my feet

Shaw Nature Reserve

I am glad I will not be young in a future without wilderness. 

~ Aldo Leopold

Aldo Leopold

November 6, 1951

do you remember

trudging through the snow

when november

turned into a blizzard

even trailblazers get lost

bluebirds have returned

to the nesting box

in the bur oak tree

I know that your spirit 

will always be with me

mom's birthday

so close to christmas

memories of you

in every star

that lights the tree

Happy Birthday, Mom!

(1919-1996)

"From Russia With Love," 

a James Bond poster 

in the antique shop...

it's then I realize that I'm older

than half the merchandise

leaves with ragged edges

recomposing 

the summer light

a note here and there

softens the emptiness