By Patrick Hurley
1)
It was there, I saw you
standing in the creek
with trousers rolled to the
knees
the water, glistening sunlight
made tiny
rapids
as it parted
around your shins
So beautiful
the drops
falling
from your hands
as
you cooled
your
sun-reddened cheeks
So green the
new spring grass
along the creek banks
It was there, I saw you
my heart stopped
from joy
knowing your beauty
2) 3)
December
and three feet of snow on my car
Oh, how I yearn
for the purple crocus
the green
of its first
triumphant
victory
over winter
We had come to work
planting trees
in praise of a mother
who gave us a place
to plant trees
The earth still cold
from winter’s thaw
and buds yet to bloom
still
hidden beneath the bark
We broke the soil
with borrowed shovels
and uncalloused hands
carefully placing the
bare-rooted babes in their
new fertile womb
All dreaming and smiling
that night
by the fire
of the broad
green
leaves to come
Our children will know you
Priscilla
by your gift
this day
Copyright©2001 by Patrick Hurley.
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