Originally from Niagara Falls Ontario, Pushcart nominee Bruce McRae is a musician who has spent much of his life in London and British Columbia. He has been published in hundreds of periodicals and anthologies. His first book, “The So-Called Sonnets,” is available from Silenced Press (and at Amazon). Visit his website.
In the Arboretum
By Bruce McRae
If Rachel comes aflutter through the storm
I’ll be in the arboretum sowing seed
and she’ll say brother, brother please,
then I’ll be pressed to answer yes,
what is it girl, you see I’m busy,
while she shakes off her umbrella
and demands complete attention,
refusing to admit I’m occupied and
brother she will say I’m sore afraid,
lightning cutting across the panes of glass,
thunder growling baritones,
rain lashing the winds that darkened day;
and I will move to reassure her,
putting my utensils down, saying
sister Rachel this is not the flood
but a cold front slowly passing,
noticing the tears and rain, the look
of consternation on her face,
briefly touching on temptation
before returning to my work.
