And Now for Something Totally Different: Beyond the Gate

Beyond the gate, a feather drifts,
     and caught, by breeze, joins leaves and dust.
A whirlwind dance of earth and sky
     swirls just beyond the gate.

Beyond the gate, the children ride
     on skateboards, scooters, bicycles.
A caravan of wheels and youth
     glides just beyond the gate

A ground squirrel darts across the yard.
He stops to listen, cocks his head,
Then waves a bushy tail at me
     as if to say, “Come play!”

But I can only contemplate
the joys and wonders that await.
For now, I only speculate,
     "What lies beyond the gate?"