cooler nights —

the kisses she blows my way

take their sweet time

no trains running —

trying to catch some warmth

we edge towards the fire

the first cool breeze —

we all turn to face it

sighing with relief

failing at sleep —

the downstairs cricket

starts back up again

closing my eyes —

the fox still there

in silhouette

birds singing the song

of our new backyard pool —

forgotten sprinkler

checking the bare spots

before heading up to bed —

grass seed still just seed

dreaming again

of my grandfathers’ gardens —

worlds built by hand

news of the floods

lapping at our door —

I burn my toast

traveling at dusk

we realize we’ve reached the end

of firefly season

dreams of flying —

in the morning, your lips graze

the back of my neck

our front walkway

crowded with fallen flowers —

mid-September rain

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

nine-eleven —

when crisp blue skies kindle

thoughts of smoke and ash

years later

flood lines halfway up houses —

Irma’s legacy

idle at anchor —

afraid of what we’ll learn

I avoid your name

some part of me still

under the imagined roof

of willow branches

caught

in the blue heron’s gaze —

last days of summer

broken bird’s egg

this tiny, perfect dome —

no longer needed

the sudden silence

as boots come closer —

crickets and their dreams

the last of the rain

singing softly to itself —

I take myself to bed

two raccoons huddled

at the edge of the storm drain —

weekend still slipping by

her shaky breath

a small sign of bravery —

the rain starts back up

first day of fall
another round of lay-offs —
petals floating down