By Artdog  artdog28@webtv.net
Date: 18 December 1999

In Napa

The sun's backlit leaves shine lime green
against the forest's dark maw
and an aromatic cedar sculpture 
of a female torso stands-
my attention divided
between the clusters of spalted grain and fissures,
the gracefully blended curves and patina.

A sharpened breeze turns my head
to an expanded view
of the autumn gold row vineyard
running to the hillside's end.

Tousled hair, loosened tie, and a grin-
already enamoured by that cedar woman
as the wind pins loose fabric to my back
and random thoughts deplete
in favor of the west coast dolorosa.