Looking outside seeing 
fire bushes and 
trees ablaze in
the cooler temperatures 
some already naked 
I notice people 
moving about differently 
whereas fall brings 
with its shedding 
it brings layers 
to those who 
quickly scuttle about

I never knew 
just how quiet
quiet really is 
it’s so quiet 
I can hear 
the ice tink 
as it breaks 
apart and floats 
in my glass 
it’s so quiet 
I can hear 
the lofty feathers 
moving around in 
my down comforter 
making room for 
pockets of warm 
and it’s so 
very quiet I 
can hear light 
from the hall 
whispering that it’s 
almost dinner time 

This whole thing 
one hour forward 
one hour back
is trying me 
I don’t know if
I’m living my
present in my 
past or future
I can’t tell 
if I’m coming 
or I’m going 
it seems like 
eight months future 
and four past
can’t we settle 
on just one 
itty bitty hour 

It is
so simple 
are those 
two words 
powerful too
for after 
comes freedom 
to accept
is nothing 
short of 
oxygen for 
the soul 
breathe deeply 
let be
carry on
in calm

Like the bear
who feels the 
sun setting sooner 
I find myself 
slowly going about 
the business of 
finding and gathering 
I too take 
my sweet time 
knowing that finally 
I will sleep