Poems
by Diane
Webster
Collapse
The old barn collapses onto its walls
leaving only the roof above ground –
a full-body grave marker
with once-etched deceased’s name
on sides now missing
shingles in jack o’lantern smile.
Next 100 years the roof
folds up its business –
anonymous carcass
entwined with grasses,
and dirt reclaims
its homestead inheritance.
Forsaken
Facing the lake
two empty chairs
occupy the sidewalk
as a solitary pigeon
slaloms through
the eight stagnant legs.
Not a peanut or seed
in its bird’s eye view.
Fall Shroud
Frost shrouds
the naked tree branches
bowing before the sun
as morning erodes
night’s handiwork
leaving skeletal limbs
behind.
Frozen Across
Cracks race across ice
in earthquake-fissure
crazy-compass direction –
a fracture of mountain range
soon to shiver away
in reflective memory.
Across the frozen lake
wind-swept snow clambers
up the granite island’s shore
like flocks of white pelicans
stampeding over each other
to reach a warmer spot.
Listening
Two blooming daffodils
face each other;
two old candlestick
telephone receivers
attempting conversation.
A bumble bee buzzes
static between
as wind bends
the flowers closer,
