LITTORAL
the alders grow transparent
as light stored in leaves seeps out
shadows are spelled or dispelled,
everywhere, a marbled lime swirl
I will gather scraps of words for
a patchwork quilt to keep me warm
on October evenings on the patio
with cranberry tea while geese call
the rhythms of elsewhere, earth and
sky yoked by tethers of light
like a meadow of wildflowers
on the littoral edge of the sea