Unraked Leaves (1995) self published
daybreak-
from the bread truck’s roof
frost swirls
autumn field-
the vitamin slowly dissolves
in my mouth
daydreaming…
the jet contrail slowly
spreads
going the same way…
exchanging looks with the driver
of the hearse
on the bench
a young couple carries on
as if I’m not there
each time
the door opens
a few more leaves
late night-
the wind rustles
some leaves
as the music goes
into overdrive
I check the speedometer
holding
my pee
for home
behind the Wendy’s sign
an entire mountain
in color
crow lingers-
the roadkill
beyond recognition
my cat comes up close
then shies away
alcohol on my breath
twilight moon
in the still lake a fish
flips itself
praying mantis near death
the little mouth parts
still move
disturbing movie
the eyes of those waiting
to get in
power failure…
moonlit clouds drift
by the window
all around
the little bandstand
unraked leaves
the way
light eases
into dawn
below the window
a sparrow on its side
one feather lifting
he leaves…
his wine glass on the counter
autumn rain
behind me
an acorn drops
on the road
under the manhole
the night gives
a gurgle
he double checks
the coin return-
emptiness lingers
abandoned farmhouse
autumn twilight darkest
in the empty windows
again this year
just her signature below
the holiday message
dawn…
at the empty crossroads
the signal blinks
all the voices
songs, waiting
in the broken radio
older and older
the strangers saying hello
to me
droning plane fades out…
how little difference it makes
what age I am
the way
the light bulb rests
in the rest of the trash
on the road…
even the daylight comes
and goes
on the trail again…
walking deeper
into myself
tom clausen 