1
Between the eyes
reading and the book
a spider dropped
prompting contemplation
on magnitudes
of grace.
2
Seasonal sojourners
passing a pilgrimage,
warblers perched high
in ancient oaks, beset
the house with song.
3
By the sackload
he dragged winter
refuse out to dump;
doves cooing
gave him cause
to pause and mind
the morning.
4
What perfection
in dead leaves
pushed up against
broken boulders, comprising
for a little
brown salamander
a whole world!
5
The hawk soaring above
the green mountain called
him to fly — not
consider what awaited
the mouse scratching
at acorns below.
6
All innocence, the snake
basked on the sun-
baked rock; hiking
off workaday lethargy
he froze in startled terror
when his footfall
made it move.
7
Ducks coming in
at speed to occupy
a cove, filling it
with polychrome bustle,
charming choreography
and noise: yet the place
of honor remained
reserved for the elegant
formality, ponderous
importance
of the geese.