Hourglass Time

A leaf of pure intent tumbles dangerously
upon wild wind currents
then disappears behind a knoll of mystery;

a gentle breeze of a sudden surprise
returns the paper-thin parcel with a message
playing from the leaf's dewdropped eyes-

an image of future contentment is passed
over a pond of deep desire
the leaf then settles upon an hourglass;

time turns over, again 
while the warmth of steady love continues
with the creaking echoes in the forest glen-

clear, cracking, the snaps ring
from the oaks swaying with a sturdy friendship
over the strewn, prickly needles of the evergreen.

Timepiece sands trickle down, hours pass seamlessly;
time never empties, a long kiss simmers
in the reflected heat of a measured evening;

across the pond other trees sway, a leaf is lost, upward climbs
finds, alights, then gently plays
on the imperceptible motions of hourglass time.