From the wildflower
protruding granite
where the stream
picks up speed
the aspens draw
Paul’s fascination
into a quizzical expression
as the trees move across
the mountain meadow
without a shepherd
to maintain
their peel-bark layers
as a curtain
around the sacred hart
centered in this grove
as the red deer ambles
lazily grazing.
copyright © 2021 Kenneth P. Gurney
Inside the Lord’s pocket
lives a red hart
with velveteen antlers.
It roams the silky green expanse
the pocket’s narrow valley
provides.
It lovingly knows
this threaded ground it treads
and the ancient seams.
The red hart senses
a larger world outside the pocket.
A multicolored universe
with an inverted world
where all is displayed to the sky
and hills were smoothed by receded ice.
The Lord though
requires this red hart
held close to the vest
to power its face and tongue
to expand its songs
that burst stars upon the void.
copyright © 2021 Kenneth P. Gurney
Urgent bow pull.
String: twined hair.
Breath even.
A single release note.
Arrow compression.
Extension: reclaimed shape.
Cut air above buffalo grass.
The plunge through flesh.
Into the heart.
White hart topples.
Eyes blank.
Red stains vessel earth.
Palms rise in thanks giving.
copyright © 2020 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 