Mississippi Ave Metamorphosis Octets

Mississippi Ave Metamorphosis Octet #1

(5/14/17)

moss on the retaining wall looks like rust in

three dimensions—despite this, the thistle blooms

purple & spiked as an undersea creature

brought up into sun & concrete & the drone

of the #4 bus downhill, the folded

crimson sidewalk umbrellas, the locked black bike—

over wine at the picnic table, their arms

entwined, the couple meld into someone new

◦           ◦            ◦

Mississippi Ave Metamorphosis Octet #2

(5/14/17)

crow flies up the avenue hangs a right on

Skidmore, is gone—one person on crutches waits

at the bus stop—Japanese maple below

that white enamel pot dangling & dented in

the restaurant window has been restored to

green—what had seemed so certainly a dogwood

inflorescence flies off as a cabbage white;

catalpa’s heart leaves caw a crow’s waltz time song

Jack Hayes

© 2017