Ashok Niyogi
Mist
Insists
That it wrap itself
Around my legs
My heart begs.
The ants come out
In single file
Military that they are
Looking for food
Going to war.
Pine needles
From yesterday’s shower
Pine cones
That will flower
Into trees
Where birds build nests.
I saw this bird
At first light
Beak full with thorns
It will build a nest
It will lay eggs for sure.
Dappled sun
On the hotel carpet
From a chink
In the armor of the window drapes
Specks of dust
Dancing in the light.
And outside
The river roars
Rock is shaped
Divinely sculpted
Water flows.
Waiters scurry
With garden chairs
And umbrellas
To prevent the tan
On skin that is brown
And will never be white
Despite the TV ads.
I walk barefoot
On manicured grass
See a bird of colored hue
And fall in love
With the dew.
