Canto 34:
We Watched
The Month

A poem by
R. Virgil Ellis

We watched the month leaf out
the first moth shivering on the porch
midges weaving their paths above the field
dots of light in the afternoon sun

then you and I in the tent huddled to be warm
when the tight furls of leaves spread enough
to wave in layers and throw their
shapes on that woven roof so the light fell
like sunlight through water

the marsh hawks called so close
we saw the pair on a branch
harrier cries rising in pitch
they knew us,
flew
low
bouyant to the edge of the woods and out

the new flies circled in the quiet
                      brown catkins ticked on the tent
                                    till the wind sent them

in a flutter a rush
        a sandy rustle

we saw                 the space around us
the light the cool                               open flaps
                      and sifting    through the
                           screen         to the      floor
    where we lay           slight drifts of pollen
          barely moving air                  yellow dust shining
                 everywhere

Copyright 2006 by R. Virgil Ellis