desiderata

juxtaposition

flickering flames,
fueled by wood and wind.
cardinal feathers,
brightening evergreens.
curly strands,
rippling downwards
towards feet.

midnight's silky glow,
starlight remains scarce.
overcooked supper,
remnants smoking,
burned into place.
deep camouflage,
hidden possibilities.

streaming sunlight
bringing the outdoors
in.
lightbulb glow,
on, off, on, off.
baggy gym uniform,
running the mile.

grass, damp with dew,
smelling of raindrops,
new intentions and means.
oversize beanbag,
always changing its shape.
cool eyes, glowing,
shifting between shades.

deep ocean sea,
tides rise and fall.
spring's rising anthem,
the rains that drip down.
hospital gown,
geometrically patterned,
tied in the back.

autumn's mighty song,
reminding what's passed
with crisp crunches underfoot.
pumpkin goes with everything,
or so the fates have told.
devilish lady, and her brood,
as they slink back to their hole.

crocus sprouts,
buds covered in bees.
fleece throw,
thin, tearing along edges.
deep bruises, childhood falls,
scars left in place,
memorizing it all.

gentle rose petals,
arching their necks.
feathery tall birds,
pigmented by diet,
standing in paradise.
plush kittens,
showing their age.

moonlight glancing
across the pond.
grass, once green,
coated shiny in the fall.
grandmother's pendant,
holding a gem,
sparkling to no end.

winter's teardrop,
fluffily, they fall,
bleaching the ground.
swans in the fountain,
feathers pure as the rain.
pillow filling spurting out,
all in a game.

last year's leaves,
mud in the rain,
sand on the beach,
down-covered antlers
blocking the way.
chocolate almond cake,
warm from the oven.

smoke-filled valley,
wildfire season.
signs of life,
one lived fully,
with regrets few and far.
in between right and wrong,
inviting unbiased judgement.