river terrarium drenched in milky sunlight

river terrarium drenched in milky sunlight
like a faded Kodachrome 
butterflies white and yellow, outstanding
as putter-by's on motorbikes blend invisibly 
while my bicycle and I rest on a riverside bench
breathing fragrances of burning weeds sweet
smoke of it replete 
addendum to our natural life
like the warmest winter there could be
in a complicated world of conveniency  
that increases our cost over time
has little redeeming value 
and only fosters resiliency
survival skills
for an otherwise native River Han
dykes of which to help the farmers
prevent deterioration of fields of crops
benefiting me with my back to the road  
well-equipped man in a modern world 
with such a heavy load
in case i need an escape to nature

January 8, 2017