September morning

Yapping dogs share neighborhood gossip.

I much prefer the gossip of birds.

Anole searches fence rail for a bit of sun

The forecast is for rain.

Overhead a squirrel shakes a leaf into my cup.

Heron stalks far side of the shore.

Dogs still share their neighbor’s business.

Squirrel chases anole from fence.

Heron rises up in an expectant sky.

I pick the leaf from my coffee,

gather trash at the basketball court

and go inside before it rains.

9-17-23