In Winter

Fields brown
and green hues
are long gone
as cold
nips at every
vine tip
and branch
while the sun
sets glacial peaks
to glow
brilliant
and bright
against
blue skies

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Too Strong

Tenacious
and steadfast
I stubbornly
fight to remain
upright
and yet
all I truly want
is to let go
falter
fall
and allow you
to catch me
so that
I can feel safe

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Your Stare

I flush pink
for you
as your gaze
holds fast
making cheeks
turn rosy
and color rise
along my nape
and a twitch
of upturned corners
come to lips
before teeth tug
lower swell

This?  Is all yours.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

To Feel Small

A blade of grass
makes the ant feel small
A sapling stretching tall
makes the grass feel small
A hill of forest green
makes a single sapling small
and when mountains tower
it makes the hill seem small
and then above it all
the blue sky stretches wide
and even a single cloud
makes the mountains small
like the ant
and the blade of grass

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Seeking Relief

Summer heat
lingers
and it is only
in the deep shadows
of the forest
that relief is found
as no breeze
touches boughs
and leaves
do not rustle
for the heat builds
in stillness
until even the air
shimmers with it

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Frustration

It is not pretty
it is ugly
and  hot
and it rains down
like embers
sparking off the fire’s
edges
to land on the skin
and sear the surface
as it flirts
with sparking
an inferno in the soul
of rage
unquenched

Photo © ZenStatePhotography