mid-June marks

the steamy start

of endless summer

as a child of drought

surprising how I still tire

of so much summer green

this week’s spring
shy crocuses
crowing red buds

A March neighborhood
ruled by
cardinals and robins

daffodils fading
purple periwinkles
in the wait

in the pantry
canned black eyed peas and greens
for when the new year needs protection

Sunday morning interstate
dead deer on roadside
mark Saturday night

midwinter sunrise
owls roosters
woodpeckers

My father was born
the day before the solstice
on the darkest night

A decade gone now
or near about, I still weep:
await the light