Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

a muscular tree
 poses with limbs outstretched;
  shrubs are unimpressed.

twisted root piles
 stretch across the walkway,
  reaching like amoeba.

deep in winter,
 the blue water makes it
  Caribbean summer.

the sunny side
 of the mountain falls into
  a cloud’s shadow.

the last few leaves 
 tenaciously hang on
  into mid-winter.

even the small mountains
 hide their tops in the clouds:
  rainy winter day.

roots held up the wall;
 the wall supports the tree.
  now, they’re one & same.

a heron stands
 with perfect stillness,
  in frigid water.

frangipani
 have dropped leaves & blossoms,
  & stand gnarled & nude.