Juxtapositions

Little fluffy clouds over Balham. Originally uploaded by Dave Cross.

At dawn
the leaves that remain
are sharp, serene silhouettes;
on the horizon,
a solitary star;

no sound, no wind;
for a split second
cold air and just
this star,
these trees,
these leaves.

-----

But you need to know
that this takes place
in a busy suburban street
lined with terraced houses
and leading to the station;

seconds later a boy
revved up his motorbike,
and a neighbour
shouted and swore
at his disobedient dog.

----

Morning now claims
that one last star,
and the leaves remain
suspended,
frail yet tenacious
an offering to the
next easterly wind.

May all living things be happy
her Buddhist friend would say:
the angry man
the boy on the motorbike
the disobedient dog
the fragile leaves

the solitary star
enfolded into the light
of the winter sun.