Richard L. Matta
Consequences
There are new developments upstream. The trail’s end waterfall is smaller by the day. I watch a beaver in the plunge pool as it dives into the waterfall’s splashes, bubbles, and ripples. The beaver surfaces, glides, and creates a beaver script trail, maybe a message. But the cryptic words drift away, just as the waterfall will turn to a trickle.
at the base
of a giant oak tree
an old war vet asking
why do some acorns
only grow to saplings
About the Author
Richard L. Matta grew up in New York’s Hudson Valley, attended university, practiced forensic science, and now lives in San Diego. Some of his haiku, tanka and haibun are in Modern Haiku, Frogpond, Akitsu Quarterly, Bottle Rockets, and Presence. His long-form poetry is found in various journals, including Gyroscope, Dewdrop, Ancients Path and Healing Muse.