These Hazy Days

Water Watcher

copper gleams beneath layers

of mercury and orange light.

powdered sugar shrugging boughs

cottonwood and tongues of fire

ankles peppered with circular green.

the water watcher paints

auburn swatches

across the sky—

baby blue, intermittent gleam.

he throws his black lances down

crests of waves

liquid sounds orchestral.

kestrel in the conifer

narrows golden eyes.

why should I have wanted her?

head underwater, under

familiar undercurrent

I still can breathe

in deluded light.

water watcher watches her

while I memorize his rage.