in the carnival
that is life

time spins fields
of sunflowers
sweet corn
and sassafras

tilts and whirls
to form
paths where caravans travel
riding out their destiny

in the dusk,
at evenfall
in firelight's twitching flames

music echoes

scuffed boots dance
in drifting dust

raised under wheels
worn and rusted
heavy with age

when darkness swallows
the horizon
dying embers crackle
                                  spit
                         ­              spark
                                              
            ­                                            sink into
                                                            ­        stillness

stars peep through
the dark curtain
of the sky

moon follows
- radiant -

the sky is theirs
- the moon and stars -

until midnight
wanders in

bringing gravid clouds,
pregnant with life

the moon hides
stars recede
as if too shy to watch

the wind awakens

seems rhythmic
in its gasps

lightning rips the dark drape

thunder bellows

clouds
- labor relieved -

pour forth
delivering their gift

earth's lifeblood
soothes the dust

twists
cascades
down the hills
forming whirlpools

collects in streams and rivulets

that merge
with
grateful rivers

winding
to the sea

homecoming
of
the carnival
of life