Middle-Distance

Water
     bubbles
            and laughs
                 as it flows
         through
     the bend in
              the creek-
                   bed, the sun
                       warming
                        stones worn
                           smooth by
                         years of
                  watery mirth
              flowing over
            them.                        
Bare trees stretch             
their tired, contented arms over the creek, soaking yellow
                  kisses into their dry, cracked skin.
            Green
          water,
          vermillion
            sky,
white clouds,
and a wind that draws the water on to greater
shimmering joys.