By Jill Bottom
Morning Chill
The house is cool.
Overnight windows
were open
to pull in crisp air.
I pad into the kitchen
and wrap the soft wool
shawl close.
The sun is up now.
Windows closed,
shades drawn
to spurn the day’s heat.
For now, I sip
hot coffee,
enjoy its warmth,
and that of the wool
before
I venture
onto the deck
into the heat,
immerse myself
in the delicious sun
and let the wool
slide from my shoulders.
Dusk
By Jill Bottom
I walk our trails
just before dusk
the air crisp,
a fresh scent of pine,
birds singing.
My terrier sniffs
the tall grasses ahead.
A spotted fawn bursts
from the brush
leaping feet from where I stand.
I startle, then turn my head
and watch
the graceful
bounding leaps
and wide white flag tail
soaring into the cover of trees.