Tanka

Pine cones filled with snow
litter the feet of tall firs
pointing ever skyward,
hairs on the back of the world
draped with miniature stars

Falling

false weightlessness of F
   thrills, as branches breAk
  time stutters, turns, tumbLes
    earth mocks the sky and fLees
       blurring – stomach churnIng.
               Dirt becomes profouNd
                         – a final restinG place.

• Phuoc-Tan Diep is a regular contributor to IS&T