Today's Lesson

Exhalation has shaken the old people from the trees.
A week of trembling becomes a gust of red, yellow,
brown, orange butterflies commemorating the year.
Inhalation: waves of discarded wings sweep streets,
bury walks, smother grass, obscure earthly boundaries.

One child, home-schooled, remains behind to rake.
By four the fallen are Himalayas hallowing the alley
and he, like a seer, sets down his staff, lights a match.
Soon the Bead's wisdom pours from a pyre, settles,
becomes a dark stream parted by a passing school bus.

Copyright © 2006 Edward Beatty All rights reserved
from Ellipsis
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission