Variation on a theme

A narrow track through the wheat
crunches underfoot to the top and
high above the sun beats down

on the fields, dry and yellow
in the summer heat, wide and warm
and empty, with the occasional

tree emphasizing the clarity
of an open landscape inviting
to sit down, back against a hot rock,

pleasing, soothing. Staring ahead
into the trembling distance you have
no thoughts of tomorrow or yesterday -

there's the rock, and the wide, wide
prospect before you falling away,
falling slowly, slowly away.