Caution to the Wind

by Gail Nielsen

/ Poetry /

I once threw caution to the wind

but the direction changed,

and it was snagged

by the branch of an aspen

at the bog’s edge

where it still trembles, hanging

alongside untroubled leaves shimmering

silver-green and light,

dangling its danger message

in the fiery rhythms of air,

I feel almost sorry for it

bound to such

relentlessly carefree sisters