Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

to human eyes,
 the man-made stands out —
  while trees seem the same

the thistle blooms:
 beautiful for a time, but 
  best known from afar.

spheres of fluff
 hold strong against a breeze...
  until they don't.

summer sun so bright
 the sunflowers take a break,
  & turn backs to light.

summer evening:
 long shadows climb steps
  their source won’t reach.

spider works its prey;
 its movement is beautiful.
  its spikes - less so.

black-eyed susans
 nudge me into Van Gogh's world,
  but not too deeply.

the river's surface,
 glassy from above, looks
  choppy from the edge.

cooter cranes its neck:
 impulse to know greater than
  impulse to shelter.

limestone hillsides
 slough to form lasting scars
  in a treed landscape.