From a watercolor of the same name by April Daily
The deer scratch themselves
in a cold winter bare wood
the trees all naked
and tall they are askew
with the wind as conductor
what a dance the deer make
reaching and bringing joy to
them selves
who knows maybe
the bare winter wood
the snow marking their passing
a temporary record
of joy
passing through the
world
Kevin Patrick Sullivan, a Poet Laureate Emeritus of San Luis Obispo County, is the co-founder/curator of the annual San Luis Obispo Poetry Festival. His books include "First Sight," "The Space Between Things," "UNIMPAIRED," and a number of chapbooks. His poems are in Solo, Hummingbird, Askew, Lummox, Miramar, and Spillway among other journals and anthologies. He co-founded and for 35 years ran Corners of the Mouth at Linnaea’s Café, a monthly event featuring poets and open readings. He is co-editor of "Corners of the Mouth: A Celebration of Thirty Years at the Annual San Luis Obispo Poetry Festival."