June in the Country

The wind bundles itself into cloud

and wanders off.

Toby tree blossoms on the gone waters

and on the going.

Swifts flying sorties over the barn,

gorging  on air.

Weathered boards, green trees,

blue heaven.

More traffic on the disked fields

than the paved road.

No better time than the first week of summer

for a proper Thanksgiving.

—with two lines by Rihaku, 8th C., Ezra Pound translation.