I wrote this in the Fall of 2005, after moving from the USA West to USA East, alone and far from my family and all but one friend. I posted it over at Chushingura, but thought maybe some here might like it, given the mention of poetry. I took a walk down to the park to do some heavy thinking one afternoon. Each verse is in the rhythm of a haiku. I've removed some of the original verses here; I think some refinement was in order.


South Orange Autumn

A bashful girl grins
says "Hello ... good afternoon."
I smile, and say "hi."

A brave boy sits down
on the park bench next to me
he reads quietly

The teacher is kind
"A nice change from the classroom ...
it's peaceful out here."

A warm smile inside
such unexpected pleasures
I'm thankful for them

***

In final moments
the countless leaves--glorious
testament to Life

Are they beautiful?
Do the sparrows sing in praise?
Will they remember?

A weary man sits
his Spirit white, in silence
contemplating One

How does the leaf know
when to let go, to spiral
return to the earth?

Soon, fierce winds will blow
bringing with them, storms of change
the dead know no fear

The Autumn leaves fall
it's simply the Way of things
cherry blossoms bloom