Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

fleabane daisies
brighten the roadside
on an autumn day

in the forest --
the forestless forest --
planted by hand

autumn afternoon.
the sun penetrates deeply,
feeding the grass

the forest road
is cleared of leaf litter
by speeding cars

a red fallen leaf
becomes a pair of 
luscious lips

the setting sun
makes a fireball of a low 
bank of clouds

saffron-tinged leaves
languidly wobble to mimic
the dance of flame

sibling globe thistles.
one: all thistle; the other:
all flowers

tiny mushrooms 
rise from damp pine needles 
on straight, stiff stalks

lopsided firethorn
remains unbowed despite 
the weight of berries