Two Octets from Late August

Amazing Grace Octet

(8/23/17)

this morning's overcast has wound up shredded;

from the next block a hammer’s thud, a nail gun’s

staccato echo an invisible world—

the engine of a parked car turns over

but it doesn't seem to catch the attention

of that lonesome crow perched on the wire

as usual—twin sunflowers try to find

their place amidst unmade clouds—I once was lost

◦           ◦            ◦

The Time Octet

(8/24/17)

the future exists already but like so

many other places I haven't been there—

autumn comes to call on the avenue this

noon; one red petunia petal falls from

the balcony, pretending to be a leaf;

outside the tea shop a woman pulls on her

sweater; the bus comes, either late or early:

my shadow moves ahead of me, to the side

Jack Hayes

© 2017