Haze

What is it about acrid smoke

haze at dusk

that makes you think of sandlot football

family suppers and warm thoughts?

What is it about burning leaves

sock hat and gloves

stirring dry leaves into a fire

before you go inside?

What is it about smokey piles

dotting the neighborhood

flavoring air like fog off the river

or harvest dust in fields?

What is it about olfactory senses

fond childhood remembrances

forgetting anger over raking chores

and burning leaves?

Did some word erasure – which version is better?

‘Haze’

haze at dusk

sandlot football,

family suppers

acrid smoke

burning leaves

sock hat and gloves,

stir dry leaves

warm thoughts

smokey piles

dot neighborhood

flavor air like

fog and harvest dust

olfactory senses

childhood memories

days for

raking and burning leaves

2-24-20