Sitting in Traffic

because that lone maple

symmetrical and ancient

stands haloed in Spring's

electric chartreuse



to see

the turning hawk flare his luminous

red tail and splash from black tar heat

into a cool green grove



because the great blue heron

laboring with wide wings and

comically dangling legs can lead

the mind to peaceful waters



to witness

the crystal blue sky silently drape

wispy white veils over

the sunset horizon before sleep

Nightfall

slowly devoured

by gray clouds

thin crescent moon

trapped in a black web

of branches