August

Above,
a louvre of willow leaves
oscillate in twilight, each leaf set apart,
like stars before Saturn
relative to stars beyond Neptune
two planets, miles from lakes shore.

Below,
two lovers mount a tripped tree,
bark mellow with wisdom
limbs lopped from time
two trout renunciate in slowmotion
two swallows absolve their guilt
two spiders gallop across craggy rocks
set in clay by August's sun.

Nearby,
tulips cup droplets of evening dew
two women pick swollen blackberries,
discover hands stained darker
than blushing cheeks, tittering they look away into willow leaves