Monday morning

He stirs last night’s ash

Blows a spark to flame

Sips his coffee warm

Nods to the night shift nurse, who goes four times around the park

Smiles at the muscle shirt dude

Who walks three dogs and never scoops

Greets the bright colored walking stick lady

All dressed in white

Watches an anole race along the rail

And the heron stalk the shore

Gathers a dead branch on his way home

Adds it to the pile for next week’s fire

7-25-22