the world
is with me
on my way
through rolling hills
   green after spring rain

metallic evening light
casts into sharp relief
the contours of young leaves
and orchards blooming

a daring hare
   abruptly stops
      alarmed
by the approaching car
and in one
arching
jump
vanishes in the underbrush

the farmer neighbors
have taken to their beds already
when I nudge my engine smoothly
past their house
   and up the hill

to pick up my life
where I left it
   after breakfast

* *