Dry October, the shallows move
across briary ground
so lightly, slowly, there are
cloud flowers on the bedrock.
On the stream bank, lichen
the color of litmus leafs out
on stones, and in that tough company
here’s the pearly everlasting,
each flower head a cluster
of tiny full moons.
Centerpiece in a dry vase,
they will not change all winter.
Look: Our shadows keep
the frost on stone-bound lichen…
no burden. We bend together,
gathering the everlasting.