Rounding the Pole

by Yvonne Cabalona and Michael Dylan Welch

First published in Presence #67, July 2020, page 66. Originally written in October of 2007.

falling leaves

a tricycle rests

in the gutter Yvonne

a full moon

halos the scarecrow Michael

Indian summer

a tetherball rounds

the pole Yvonne

dark fingernails . . .

I tell the tomatoes

of the frost warning Michael

the infant’s lips

phantom a suckle Yvonne

Halloween night—

from somewhere nearby

a wolf’s howl Michael