—gathering of small things—

Brown-gray leaves
caught in wind
tumble across parking lot,
get stuck under worn tires.
Drink coffee
that cools between sips
steam rising.
Hawks circle owls watch
mice dart under empty cars,
under carriages covered in spider webs.
Nature gets by
despite humanity
trying to shut it down.

David E. Howerton is a part-time programmer and lives in the American River Canyon outside of Auburn, CA. He has done landscaping, sign painting, cooking, and made jewelry to pay the bills. He and his wife live with two bossy cats. He has three adult daughters and eight grandchildren. His hobbies include type design, soapstone carving, walks in the woods, collecting dragons, and a growing library of Science Fiction.