The world
turned
on its end

then
spun
backwards

as if it were
a globe
on a wooden stand
and axis

pray for me
as I pray for a gentle
rain

that will water
and make green

trees
fields and meadows

Whit Howland © 2020

They're just
decor

copper coffee
tins

more cans
hanging

from hob
nails

over the stove
***** reminders

of the front porch light
still

bright
after all these years

Whit Howland © 2020

White with specks
of magenta

on the edges of
the petals

the stamen lodged
firmly

at the center of
the bud it's

a still and precious
appreciation

of a life
meaningful

though
not too deep

Whit Howland © 2020

Oiled
leather

loved
worried on
and

distressed

an artifact
from my past

serving

as a hieroglyph
signifying

the phantom pain
still

stinging
from the impact

of the ball so
long ago

Whit Howland © 2020

Expressing
loose-jointed

grace

this silver spring
flips

over itself
like the first steps

of a newborn
much

like our marriage
when it was freshly

minted
that same

clumsy progress
slow and steady

down
one stair at a time

Whit Howland © 2020

We can be
folded

or

broken
down

so easily

wrapped
up

put
in a box

tied
with twine

just like
that

in a moments
notice

fight or flight

it never fails

we'll always
choose

flight

Whit Howland © 2020