Benevolence / Harvest Moon by Michael Keshigian

BENEVOLENCE

Fall approached

with tender kiss

and startling display

gently unhooking

the verdant dress of summer

who blushed 

and dropped soft petals

to the ground

emerging pale and tired

in the unfamiliar setting

then curled

to keep herself warm

till a bearded man arrived

with white garb

to comfort her.

HARVEST MOON

Flame red, 

a bouncing balloon,

every year

the harvest moon rolls

upon the hills

on the bottom of the sky

till dusk departs,

then it floats upward,

a gold coin in the deep dark pocket,

treading heaven gingerly,

a bassoon melody

amid the starry ostinato.

The Earth replies, 

a subtle hum,

oaks and elms kneel in vigil,

moonlit cows, astonished,

stare as the glow swells.

It sings 

until heaven is filled

with orange splendor,

plains of wheat respond

as flaxen fields melt.

Michael Keshigian, from New Hampshire, has been published in numerous national and international journals, recently including Aji, San Pedro River Review, Tipton Poetry Journal, Muddy River Review, Passager and has appeared as feature writer in over twenty publications with 6 Pushcart Prize and 2 Best Of The Net nominations.