Bumper Crop

The highway stretches

a hot grey ribbon

frenzied traffic evaporating

over the horizon

while on either side

wide green spaces, trees

introduce the country

to the city beyond.

Nervously facing traffic

the juvenile groundhog waits

mustering momentum for crossing

if it manages one double lane

a boulevard will render rest

encouragement for the other half.

Does it know

that wild thing why it must

make that crossing?

Does it notice

far beyond on the other side

the activity there?

Crows,  undertakers

      carrion-eaters

zealously perform their function.

 c.1981