Tap Dancing on the Roof (2 page)

October

The wind rearranges the leaves,
as if to say, "Much better
there,
"
and coaxes others off their trees:
"It's lots more fun in the air."

Then it plays tag with a plastic bag,
and with one gust uncombs my hair!

Pockets

What's in your pockets right now? I hope they're not empty:
Empty pockets, unread books, lunches left on the bus—all a waste.
In mine: One horse chestnut. One gum wrapper. One dime. One hamster.

ECHO

Haven't heard that song since preschool,
but I can still sing every word.

Another tune trapped in my head:
Again ... and again ... and again...

Always playing tricks on me,
those great friends, music and memory.

November Thursday

I don't often talk to my stomach,
but this morning I do:
"Rest up, now. Relax, get ready,
because you will need to S - T - R - E - T - C - H..."

Turkey! Pie! And—best of all—
stuffing myself with stuffing!

Word Watch

Jittery
seems a nervous word;
snuggle
curls up around itself.
Some words fit their meanings so well:
Abrupt. Airy.
And my favorite—

sesquipedalian,
which means: having lots of syllables.

Overnight

Flying saucer poised for liftoff where the bird bath used to be.
On the driveway, three hippos—a mother and two babies.

Snow waves its magic wand: Yesterday, mailbox. Today, hunchback gnome.

Vanishing Act

Last week I built a snow family. Today, a stubborn sun shines.
My snow people look tired, then sad.... I hate seeing them this way.

If that sun shines again tomorrow, I'll find three carrots on the ground.

From The Window

Sparrows at the feeder each day, dull in brown and black and gray
but fun to watch as they scold and eat. One morning, a triple treat—
a primary-colored display: cardinal, goldfinch, blue jay!

Crocuses

They pierce the thin skin of snow
with narrow swords of green
to clear the way for colors—
purple, yellow, lavender,

petals huddled close, guarding
the treasure: a lode of gold dust.

Important Announcement

Daffodils blare out the news.
Birds chatter, squirrels jabber,
all ecstatic—
Spring is here!
Except for the apple tree,
who wakes late, stretches, shakes herself,
makes one last drift of pale-pink snow.