Marigold Blade

Fallen leaves from foothill oak trees

Tumble-rumble, creep upon me.

Crunching under cold toes & tired feet--

Encouraged by a whispering January breeze

Blowing chilly kisses, as gravity receives

Nature’s paint mixture

wheat|tan|beige|russet|evergreen

Dripping from the canopy

Colors blend providing an earth above

& an earth beneath, as

a thousand Jurassic wings chase after me,

Scaled cones slalom thru scarlet barked manzanita trees.

An ocean of Golden foothills bend,

Merced River, cutting in between

Sunset reflects a fading marigold flame

off the blade that cuts thru to the sea.