Solitaire

from trees

Burnt orange floor
planked.
Cards spread,
rowed,
lined.
Looking out over
everything.
My Kingdom of wood
and leaf.


------------------------------


Flannel pajamas
wander to window--
frost covered.
Huddle under
blanket
over register.
Sleeves and legs fill
with warm breeze.
Fingernails scratch
first words on ice
on glass.


------------------------------


Silence, nearly
just a shuffle of adult stuff.
And darkness,
nearly
only slight strips from blinds
slice the rows of mats.

Maybe others sleep,

On this plot
journeys launch
for legendary treasures
and noble wars are fought.
It's here,
this placid restlessness begins.


--------------------------------


Ankle cast,
an anchor.
Dimmed classroom
emptied for lunch
open only to me,
weighted to this back row
Maps and books
out of reach.
Desks, windows, trees
doors and bookshelves
lessons
in line and wood.


--------------------------


Pitter-patter
pattern tapping
on panes.
Crack the window.
Wet air wafts
through wire mesh--
the soft sweet/sour smell
of mist and metal.