Pulling the Days Together

After our talking about trees,

how different they were last October,

how they make spring’s wind visible

we walk thru bud and blossom, stopping

to note locust thorn, pine sap

or how downslope they lean uphill

growing sunward, fallen or steadfast.

Yesterday, on the cooler shadow-side

beech stayed wrapped in tight gold brown,

days behind oak and maple’s abundance.

Come twilight, beneath leafy eyelet,

delicate in near full moon light,

we return midwood. A grape vine

lets us swing    thru clear air

—a moment,    hanging

Baiting Hollow, 1978