Daydream

Warmed to drowsiness by the
autumn sun I stopped the tractor
at the end of the field, closed
my eyes against the black furrows
in the spell of another autumn day,
years ago.

A young woman in a red suit,
tousled hair shining, frolicking
with her dog under the trees.
Branches above her trickled leaves,
a red maple dropped one in her hair,
the dog raced in a circle.

No one I knew, still I could see her
alive with color and motion,
long legs flying, arms outstretched
as if to embrace the day, all warm,
young, happy as if no grief or age
or loneliness could spoil this joy.