Gogyohka 11.6.09

When my landlord's not looking
I snip a few sprigs
of rosemary and sage
from his meticulous garden
Nothing's free from him

these days
looking down
when I walk
but just to see the leaves
brown and piled

three nights of rain and gusts
will take
the sweep of autumn leaves
out of the trees
and into its hands

Others believe you
when you believe what you say
Just make sure
it's not
the only thing you believe

two square heads
in a candy apple Ford
huddled in the cab
in front of the heater vents
while the tailpipe smokes