tea shopping —

we let the scents carry us

back to our grandmothers

so many bees

they may outnumber the blossoms —

we try to count

mid-September drive —

as dusk deepens to black,

more crickets than cars

late day sun

lending the grass its orange —

my father takes his pulse

one umbrella —

we welcome the excuse

to nestle together

driving away

knowing I’ll feel that tug —

our stories, entwined

cooler nights —

we lavish our attention

on an indoor cricket