last night of Pride month —

we stand under the street light

slowly kissing

swerving to avoid

the dead bird in the road —

turn the radio off, too

boys in the basement —

their happy laughter

bounding up the stairs

perfect timing —

a salted breeze announces

the long journey’s end

on this day we made

our rainbow flags into capes

and rode bikes to town

a bright flash of red

as the cardinal checks in

with his mate

roadside edge blur

resolving into a turtle’s 

intricate shell

don’t scold me, robin —

I have lost my way and am

feeling my way home

cooler nights —

we remember open windows

from our childhoods

the first time

she called me friend —

summer solstice

drops so far apart

we question if they’re even rain —

closer, come closer

so many fireflies!

we stretch out our hands,

the stars within reach

a sudden chill

as the thunder rumbles in —

he calls the hospice

all the things we’ll do

to get the baby to smile —

summer sun

morning visitor —

I forget to offer tea

you forget to mind

slowing my step

clamoring for their next meal —

a nestful of beaks

every doorway

leaking its own light

as we stumble home

strawberry season —

the juice of last year’s fruit

staining our baskets

unmistakeable

the look we give each other —

coming out again

the clearest night yet —

our dog sighs and circles

ignoring the stars

puddle-bathing wren

happy for all these choices —

I try to see it her way

deer at dusk

working their way through clover —

my father’s calendar

remembering

his “special rock” collection —

graduation eve

honeysuckle days —

clouds, then finally sun again

our long-entwined lives

the deer and I

trading start for startle — 

two hearts drumming

eyes remembering

what summer feels like —

a goldfinch! a firefly!

at last, the air changed,

became companionable —

the earth took a breath

hearing rain approach

as it beats down the peonies —

I call my father

not ready for flight —

a just-hatched bird reduced to

ants on the sidewalk

nesting geese

standing their ground although

I ask them to share