Sequel #17

The monkey's monkey

wears the monkey's mask

to greet the storm

Mist under the trees

snakes move among

the fallen peaches

A young hawk squats

on the broken gate

tangled in the hedge

Clouding the darkness

snow returns to the tombs

where the mud thickens

Juncos and finches share

the collapsed chimney

lacquered with ice

—Ray DiPalma