In The Night Still Dark

by Jim Zola

Artwork: Andy Anissimoff “Peak to Creek”

The leaves have drawn out their dying.
Just as I let myself linger.

I’m the grumpy General,
barking orders about gloves and hats.

Putting on a sock,
my son forgets what world he’s in.

I can’t forget. I keep
notes in my pockets.

The snowy owl peers down
the sweetgum branch,

a license plate reads soon.
Later, after the house settles

in its dark reluctance,
after the owl’s belly is full

of mouse, leaves start to crash
against roof and windows.

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In The Night Still Dark first appeared on the Waters Poetry Workshop, then on the IBPC: New Poetry Voices, and can be found in Jim Zola’s book What Glorious Possibilities