a map of England

turning red like autumn leaves

waiting for the fall

a still, windless day

that feeling of communal

loss, a heavy weight

petals and fond words

I watch half a world away

a funeral streamed

a student calls me

we chat about her future

just after sunrise

writing these poems

in quiet contemplation

a beautiful day

a valley called hope

walking with a joyful dog

bounding through the leaves

mycelium lace

trailing through the forest floor

wedding death with life

a cool breeze whispers

kindly to the leaves, let go

it is time to fall

a handful of seeds

a cat poised, quivering tail

a flurry of wings

contorted willow

drapes its corkscrew-curling leaves

around a birdbath