Leaves and Water
Yesterday: October thunderstorms.
Late afternoon thickens and darkens,
piles of cumulus,
brief showers of hail pass over
heading up Panther Creek.
Shreds of wildness bend poplars.
Navy blue above rock cliffs shadowing the river.
Lightning moves a mile away,
works slowly closer,
air turning copper,
then black; rising wind.
A buck deer spooks, runs off with stiff springs
throws leaves with every leap
head held high
alarmed eyes.