Category: nature
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Hop like an amphibian
09/22 – epigraph: “And it won’t matter now/ Whatever happens will be/ Though the air speaks of all we’ll never be/ It won’t trouble me” (from ‘All I Want’ by Toad the Wet Sprocket) most mornings, before the sun grows hot I walk in dewy grass among amphibians they hop one step ahead of my…
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Jaundiced leaf
not all leaves are blessed with old age turn red and gold and brown some fall on a warm summer’s day yellowed, alone and exhausted 9-20-23
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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…
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Two haikus for a rainy day
even in the rain two squirrels chase each other ’round and ’round a tree I watch from the porch remembering when I’d play unafraid of rain 9-10-23
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Hosanna chainsaw
dog walkers reappear park staff armed with chainsaws clear limbs and damaged trees barometric pressure shoulder pain lessens emails and projects beckon me to come inside and work in the key of longing cicadas sing Hosanna chorus celebrate survival of the storm 8-31-23
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400 miles north of landfall
before the wind before the rain before the coming storm the wood is strangely quiet Isolated bird calls out, but does not receive an answer on the corner unaware of the approaching flood a dog barks at the fence you walk under the trees wonder which ones won’t be standing tomorrow 8-30-23
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receding circles
receding concentric circles gently lap the shore. did a turtle crest from below, a fish leap and splash back in, or something unknown fall from the sky? Receding concentric circles gently lap the shore and take their secret with them 8-29-23
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empty highway
empty highway low country dark headlights split the night center line reflectors yellow crescent moon set cruise and go 8-23-23
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manic monday
Two ants, one from the east, one from the west, Scurrying back and forth on a fence rail Following chemical signposts on an invisible highway Left by those who came before Searching for something that leads to treasure That they can carry back to their hill They meet in the middle, circle one another, Exchange…
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Festival’s last day
children are up early they always are life’s a big adventure sit and listen in your camp chair somewhere someone strums a guitar flute plays in distance stage hands remove tarps fold and put away vendors gather, talk with new friends cicadas console one another PATIENCE… they’ll be gone tomorrow 8-20-23