Parallel Lives – a poem by Janet Krauss

Parallel Lives


As if yearning to reach further, you lean forward 
of fluttering new leaves that soon choke out 
the summer sky, or chiming a copper tune
in autumn, or in mid-winter wearing
a thin shawl of light as quiet patches of clouds
pass by, your branches sparse in the cold air,
you wait for the wind to signal which way
to bend or sway. I learn from your dance.

Janet Krauss, who has two books of poetry published, “Borrowed Scenery,” Yuganta Press, and “Through the Trees of Autumn,” Spartina Press, has recently retired from teaching English at Fairfield University. Her mission is to help and guide Bridgeport’s  young children through her teaching creative writing, leading book clubs and reading to and engaging a kindergarten class. As a poet, she co-directs the poetry program of the Black Rock Art Guild.