August 31st

an old bear,
       caught
          grazed groans root by the rare
rhododendron... distraught,
       in the saffron garden.

claws rake deep,
       rough
          gorging the weed and creep
the old garden can tough,
       it receives some pardon.

to the Brush,
       home
          the red wood leaves and hush
calm the beast with dark chrome,
       prone and slow, to harden.