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Two Poems

by Richard Dinges, Jr


Weather

Days defined by
weather’s changes,
clouds to sun, gale
to calm, cold to warm
to hot, climate carries
forward, time’s continuum,
ever unseasonably
seasonal. Our response
is to harp and marvel,
to disprove the old
maxim that we
always complain
and never do anything
to change it.

Water Birds

Birds are water -
fountains burst
from trees - feathers
spatter blue sky.
Beaks pierce clouds -
clouds fall outward -
mists spread, thin,
and finally dry.
A flock evaporates
and I float
on the surface,
amazed and agape,
dry-mouthed,
I thirst for more.
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Richard Dinges, Jr. has an MA in literary studies from University of Iowa, and manages information security risk at an insurance company. His most recent publications include: California Quarterly, Poem, Cutthroat, Blue Unicorn, and Red River Review.