I.
Sheboygan, Wisconsin November, 2017
There is a postmark on your faceblocking your view of beyond.Leaves fall arraying the ground in an autumnal palette.You cannot read the lines of the roadin darkness or light, because of reflective barrelsleading away from potential disaster.
We speak in hushed tones of our inner thoughts and desires,you may listen, but as cicadas call aboveyou only hear the buzzing.
A heron flies out over the water,Lake Michigan stretching out like the ocean,waves splashing toes. Sand in shoes, white.Lackluster smiles photographed,and harsh laughter sounding down hallwayscalling to your room.
Placid, opaque cloudsrain down on the comfort of shrubberiessurrounding a place of finalities.
II.
Manitowoc, Wisconsin May, 2019
We sit two & two,Arcade Fire blaring throughout,a soundtrack of ironic tact.
The sunglass haze red/purple of the midwestern sky,a spring greenness indescribable.Houses box monuments;bricks climbing unevenly up, pickets fencethe mounds of yards, one after anotherwith the same inert patterns.
You always spoke of the weather, if it were good or bad,a mimicry of feelings set deep in the ground, slowly taking root—unfolding in flowers, bleeding hearts.
***
Image by Ralph George from Pixabay