Solstice

Shortest day
of the year, almost.
Redwood tip
bedraggled as the pelican
feather you scavenged
from the beach.
The pomegranates
split, they spit seed
underfoot. Crisp
taffeta of leaves wrens
tussle in—see, just
what’s here.  Look

at this kitchen
from Chardin!  burnished
kettle upended on
a slab of wood; an
earthen bowl (big
enough to beat
two eggs) glazed
umber brown.  Erect
in its wooden fist
the pestle.  A knife
pares the shadow
of a red onion.

                  (from White Sheets, CBeditions, 2012)