Innocence

he looks across the valley
small holdings, fruit trees and vines
a dark man leans on a shovel
grapes in a cart are the world
the air is cool
dropping the leaves
a hawk banks toward the ridge
optimism rises like sap in the spring
he is insane

his edifice has crumbled
he stares at the screen
small women and men stare back
they turn to each other and to him
he wants to say something
struggling for the words
the words he spoke a decade ago
rest, rest will firm his resolve
tomorrow he will speak the words
optimism rises like sap in the spring
he is insane

dinner guests take advantage of his silence
they speak sarcastically of failures all around
looking jealously for desperation in his eyes
taunting him mindfully and mindlessly
they see distance come to his eyes
he proffers responses sacrificially
like sending soldiers to the front
optimism rises like sap in the spring
he is insane

Richard Benner served in the Office of Metro Attorney 2001-12 advising Metro on growth management. From 1991 to 2001 he was Director of the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, managing the statewide land use planning program. He was Executive Director of the Columbia River Gorge Commission during the time it developed a management plan for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. He spent 12 years as staff attorney with 1000 Friends of Oregon. His recently published book, Into the Wind: Tales and Poetry of the Memaloose Hills, is available in Oregon at Klindt’s Booksellers & Stationers in The Dalles, Waucoma Bookstore in Hood River (re-opening February 3, 2023), Brenna’s Mosier Market in Mosier, and at Broadway Books and the Audubon Nature Store in Portland.