how to scratch the mountain
until it purrs
Author: Dave Bonta
I live in an Appalachian hollow in the Juniata watershed of central Pennsylvania, and spend a great deal of time walking in the woods. My books of poetry include FAILED STATE: HAIBUN, ICE MOUNTAIN: AN ELEGY, BREAKDOWN: BANJO POEMS, and ODES TO TOOLS.
Vagabond
If I were a tree, head-down in the earth, I’d stretch one toe into the clouds.
melting through
the heritage
of snow fleas
back from a walk
finding a clump of snow
in my coat pocket
creaking limbs
shrink-wrapped in ice
my evergreen
February thaw
blood on the road resuming
its slow journey
marks in the snow
from a dangling vine
the wind and me
Why I walk
[haibun]
snow-bound trees
I’d like to die
on my feet
wandering thoughts
the other mountain hidden
by falling snow
white birch stump
the absolution
of snow
written in snow
the epic journey
of a mouse
ground and sky white
whichever way the nuthatch turns
