Inside Out

Gazing out the window
at the raw, urban wreckage
of a bygone apartment building
across the street
made her stop and think.

"Imagine," she said to him,
unzipping her skirt,
letting it fall to the floor.
"Imagine all the love that happened over there...
Imagine all the broken hearts."

Night Sounds

The cool, dark woods
usher in an orchestrated medley,
a chorus
of glorious night sounds.

Throaty frog voices
rise up in swirling tones,
while the cicada's lengthy,
low-pitched call
ascends and falls.

Hear now the cracking
and snapping of twigs -
perhaps a lonely deer,
or a less benign creature?

A distant car rolls and hums,
while autumn beckons,
the sweeter scents of summer
fading to deep, dense, earthy smells.

We may still lull and rest,
but hidden life beats strong,
for the woods ring out in a song
of glorious night sounds.

- Elisabeth