TREEPLANTER
Never see how —
But see how —
The pine tree
Has grown a foot
Since a year ago
SKY
Hiking down from a hillside
Snow packed, saw on the shoulder
There is no doubt now
Of rain in the air
I stop at a sound
Far / nearing / wait
Two crows flying
Calling, wide apart
One straight south
The other — eastward
Belly on the tree line
I've lost sight of one
For keeping with the other
ON BUILDING A STONEWALK IN NOVEMBER
This river drifts the land,
In the long air of pines
I smell spring.
Down here, don’t wear gloves,
Don’t wear boots with leaks,
Stay working, and of course
Use the flat stones —
All the things
One learns
In a first year —
The boots take awhile, I know.
But come to you water gentle,
Very clear
Draw strong
Carry the river home to bathe.
It is November / wide open / colding
There is ice you shouldn’t trust.
from Where Rivers Meet, Bob Arnold
photo © bob arnold
