around the place

 there are reddish rocks here
and in spring especially these little bits
of potsdam sandstone
show up.
i think the road crews 
fill up at the local sand pits
and some of them 
 have a bunch of this stuff.
i like it.
i like the layers.
 and i like holding them in my hand as i walk.
 it's a leftover pumpkin 
and prints on old pages
 old pages, latin.

and contact print over pressure print
lichen under and on cotton under plants.
i've been having a conversation with my friend catherine.
 work here 
and at the new place continues.
i love
the honorable nature of work clothing.

winter break

 this whole week has been 
one in which i keep showing up
 so to speak,
paying closer and closer attention
to what is going on
 in my work
 and in my world
 skies have been constantly
and continually changing
 clouds teaching me things
i need to know
 she makes me go outside
when i forget or
get lazy
 and then i see
rocks that would not
be books
stitches made by machines
  dots of starlings
all arguing and telling their stories
so much so that
i thought i heard the herald
redwing blackbird
but i think the damned
starlings were leading me on.