Orchard at Dusk

Herons beat the dusk—
wind stirs smoke through twisted boughs,
fruit softens unseen.

Juniper ghosts hum,
ripe secrets ferment below—
red leaves catch the dark.

Cypress breath exhales,
wild berries cling to silence,
a duck calls, then none.

Knife whispers through skin—
citrus and cold smoke rising,
sweet molasses dusk.

Pear and beet green bow,
shiso dreams in ginger rain—
echoes on the tongue.