Before the sun is high

Emerald-headed mallard swims through trees

set adrift in a blue, blue sky

before turtles line the shoreline

like city folks at Hilton Head resorts,

before bright green anoles emerge

from nighttime hiding places,

before a frog chorus gives way to bird solos

before swarms of tadpoles are consumed

in the coming feeding frenzy,

you recite the seen and unseen names of God,

just before the uncivilized among your neighbors

begin their Friday morning leaf blowing ritual.

3-24-23