Potato Peelings

by Kim Hodges

Winter - outside my window
six potatoes huddle
on the telephone line
twittering softly.


Spring - leaves open
the first potato pops up,
sees its shadow,
and goes back down.
Two more weeks of winter.


Spring - a small potato
has fallen out of its nest.
the large ones circle
hysterically, shrieking.


On the wind, temple bells
the potato sits zazen perfectly,
eyes unblinking.


A potato peaks out
from behind the sofa
time to set traps again

Copyright © Kim Hodges
January 1995