The grocery store is always open

In the magic hour

between possum waddle and coyote strut

raccoons feast on food left out for

feral cats skulking along the fence line,

Fourth of July fireworks

two nights before fall equinox

could be mistaken for gunfire,

but sirens and blue lights do not arrive

You push the trash can to the street

and wait on the porch

for the neighborhood deer

to come feast on your flowers

9-19-22