|
| Uncle Bill—A Feisty Soul October 22, 1929 – November 13, 2010 |
Equinox at the Rainbow Hill Ranch*
for Bill and Betty
Matted in early light, the grass
uncurls around the ankles of the cows:
damp smoke. The barn’s still dark,
walls wet; the sodden beams creak
in rootless sleep; and sharpened
by the cold, a fragrance of cut hay
broods over the clank of an iron bell.
Only those fruit-laden trees, bent
low, seem buoyant. I can almost hear
the round earth whispering its story
to the seeds . . . feel the season
holding its breath to listen.
______________________
*From House of Mirrors. Bill and Betty’s small ranch was in Phoenix, Oregon, southeast of Medford. A slice of Eden.
Joseph Hutchison, Colorado Poet Laureate 2014-2019, has published 20 collections of poems and edited or co-edited three poetry anthologies. He currently directs two master’s-level programs for University College at the University of Denver: Professional Creative Writing and Arts & Culture Management. Joe lives with his wife, Melody Madonna, in the mountains southwest of Denver, Colorado, the city where he was born. 
Bill was my Mom's little brother, Vassilis. Hence the resemblance!
A fitting memorial, Joe. And I can't help seeing an uncanny resemblance when comparing your photo to Uncle Bill's. How close of a relative was he?
Thanks for the kind words, Conrad. Anything Oregon sounds like Stafford, but here the homage was intentional: the world was always telling him stories. Uncle Bill, too!
Delightful verses, Joseph!<br /><br />I'd compare this with Wright and Stafford, antime.