Among the live Oaks fresh cedar
poles are gathered neatly beside the cabin
where twilight speaks in the velvet of pansies.

        This Heart of Texas where clear waters
clearly flow. Great Pecan trees make hard nuts
and murmur one to another in the cooling evenings
where low clouds move a shuttle of wind
through drowsing grasses weaving
the manes of horses with threads of one's own spirit,
wefting a pattern of birds that disappear into night.

        One assesses a savings of callouses
as sleep thinly covers chigger's sting,
the armadillos outside begin to unravel the garden,
coyote sounds a cruel desire of fangs and kid mohair.

        Tomorrow, much work to be done.


© Carlton Godbold 1987

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