VOYAGER HEART

(Baby Leo and Graham )

Small puff-clouds

scoot across

the autumn sky

on the wings

of the morning.

I cross the road

to the rooster's

early cry.

From the sleepy forest

birds croak and caw,

the branches

stir and sigh.

The yard dogs

bark

the new day in.

Horses whicker

softly

over their apples and grain,

and the imperious marmalade cat

deigns a haughty nod

from his domain.

And I

am old enough

to be grateful for

such grace:

eyesight with which

to take this splendor in

the whole day long,

ears finely tuned

to hear

the planet's song,

legs that still carry me

though at a slower pace,

and that calm

voyager heart

that has

taken me

so far

while staying

in one place.