Snowflakes

A string of snowflakes
hang
on a vertical spider web
words that make
a poem



by c van gorkom

Somewhere A Step

Somewhere a woman sleeps
I am her pillow and blanket

whose eye is on the sparrow
watches me

my slippers are warm
but old and worn
the fire dies yellow to red
for lack of another log
the winter storm
would enter
the black stove must be fed

somewhere she dreams
upon her bed
I am with her
from my chair

a step
in the dance
of one who watches
sparrows


by c van gorkom

BY STARLIGHT

A floor lamp in a corner
releases arches
of shadow and starlight
against my quiet wall
of night

Arches, like old stone bridges
over slow flowing streams,
bridges made from fading
luminous stones
that fell from a star

Whose light shines
on my wall of thought

bridges I cross
on my way to you

my path, garden,
first intake of breath,
I stand weaving on tiptoe
at your wall,
intoxicated by your scent,

I have stumbled this path
to your gate,
I have opened,
leaning in--


by c van gorkom

COMING TO TOWN

Lodge pole pine trees
stand close
limbless in the forest,
closed in on either side
of my road,

stand straight
with the diameter and heft
of steel prison bars

Snow lies in blankets
beneath them untrammelled,
unvisited,
featureless as it fell.

No one can walk there,
none escape,
trees forbid it

I increase my speed
they allow me this narrow road.


c van gorkom