last after-eight sunset —
let’s drive to the reservoir
and skinny dip

spending long days
in search of shade and shelter —
survival instincts

we give up looking
and discover just how much
we were in our way

flickering
in the bamboo leaves —
heat lightning

goldfinches in flight
their calls like laughter
brighter by the day

pandemic stories —
my throat sore from yelling
past the mask

hiding in plain sight —
a green heron in the reeds
my father’s alcoholism

darker sky ahead —

we travel in the same direction

as the storm

noisy neighbors —

I float a lullaby

over the fence