Beyond our reach

 Beyond our reach 

The tiny feeder’s empty so no birds fly back and forth

I miss them as the pine boughs dip and sway

the wind from the east rising again, three days blowing 

although the sky is blue with dreams of summer 

and blousy tulips fill the pots. 

Slow days lengthening, crochet blanket and its baby growing 

the comfort of routine,

a song of loveliness with minor chords beneath 

the grip of worry, grief, the price we pay 

for those we cherish, suffering 

beyond our reach. 

April 14th 2026 Hounoux 

On memory’s winter tree

On memory’s winter tree

 On January’s last gasp chill day, dripping

monochrome 

across your threshold what delight! 

in warmth and light and welcome. 

And so an afternoon that glowed

good food and conversation shared 

poetry and painting  

a fragile bubble blown in glass 

now hung, swung, on memory’s winter tree. 

February 2nd 2036, Hounoux, for Josette and Andrew.