Two April Octets

22nd Ave Satori Octet

(4/20/17)

electric wind off the MAX train out of sight

behind me, beyond the apple tree’s white eyes

blossoming by the hundreds, my eyes in bloom

too, this sunlight caressing the palmetto’s

fronds, such a head of hair let down in waves of

green memory, sunlight embracing pastel

rhododendrons, laying its radiant hand

on the tea shop’s drawn blinds, reflecting on me

◦           ◦            ◦

Denver Ave Spring Meditation Octet

(4/21/17)

two strings of prayer flags & a black bicycle

constitute a porch; this dogwood’s outpouring,

its hundreds of hearts opened to whatever

this honest blue sky with its one white airplane

flying east over the treetops might offer

constitutes spring like that one scarlet tulip,

a cup in its patch of sunlight both empty

& filled past the Japanese maple’s shadow

Jack Hayes

© 2017