Cloud Tricks [Tanka]

thin clouds drift in,
showing their black bellies,
hiding blue skies
like a young boy doing
his first magic trick

Road Flock [Tanka]

cowbells clang,
the bleating flock trots up
a dusty road;
the rising dust plume
seen before the goats

a murder of crows
congregates on the concrete,
and I feel angst.
sure, I’m smarter than a crow…
but smarter than the murder?

Posted on July 12, 2021 by B Gourley

growing upward,
the tree turns ninety degrees,
reaching sideways
three times its height -
i jump to check gravity

Posted on July 12, 2021 by B Gourley

wide mouth river,
its chocolate-colored waters
smashed by breakers /
the battle is ceaseless;
no winner is declared

Posted on July 8, 2021 by B Gourley

grazing horses
approach a cliff:
not watching
where they are going,
but knowing where they are

Posted on July 8, 2021 by B Gourley

riding the ridge,
the dragon-spine wall
stretches beyond sight --
some say it ends there;
some say it never ends

Posted on June 24, 2021 by B Gourley

over the river,
a seed pod twirls toward
the creeping waters,
and thus a lazy seed
will hitch a thousand miles

Posted on June 18, 2021 by B Gourley

circling raptors
sweep down onto the platform;
they peck and tear;
when sun-bleached bones remain,
nature's hard work begins

Posted on June 12, 2021 by B Gourley

looking down
from blue skies and sparse clouds 
my next look up
the ceiling has lowered
and rain is on its way