Phantasmagoria

Twisting my way
into a dark jungle
pushing past awkward and wild.

As a valiant oak offers
cool shade
from the blistering sun.
Long forgotten leaves

surrender their hold

fall away
and expose old scars.
Submissive browns

reconciled reds and oranges

long-suffering yellows

raked

heaped into piles

ready to finally
appease the gods.

A kaleidoscope
briefly

soothing the ache
that gnaws
like a fungus
mushrooming
white circles on the lawn.