staring at the space
where the artemisia
was meant to grow back

northern forest fires —
tomorrow's sunshine will work
harder to reach us

evening primrose —
waiting for a cooling breeze
and a chance to shine

seed packet instructions —
how much light, how much water
how far down to start

turning for a moment
to watch the children's faces —
fireworks

unfurled maple leaves —
large enough now to hide
a busy woodpecker

rooting for my plants
to make another comeback —
spring sports season

we will remember
who walked proudly beside us
in the face of hate

night air offering
treats from our neighbor's garden —
open the windows

we take turns
tracking the great blue heron
with only our eyes

we move our sandals
from closets to the front door —
coaxing spring

a steady spring rain
lures me outside to listen —
the bamboo's growing!

the spring air returns
slipping in at the windows —
come closer, you say

my father's advice
coming through me to our son —
measure twice, cut once

unwilling to see
the fox who shares our street
as anything but thriving

Arizona sun —
we spend our vacation
ducking from shade to shade

the flycatcher's flight
as it loops out and back —
Spirograph in the sky

the length of our trip
measured in pillowy mounds
of fallen blossoms

 the way the quail feels
when she lifts her head to call —
I want to feel that

replanting fleabane —
I tuck the earthworms back in
where I found them

this cardinal pair
checking in with each other
across the bamboo

the red fox slows down
to glance at us in passing —
not a cloud in the sky

planning our trip —
we trace the mountain road
up out of the heat

an open window,
the feel of air in motion —
we remember spring

kneeling in the lawn
to tell the dandelions 
their time is up

the same morning moon 
low behind the sleeping trees
now waiting up for me

just warm enough —
a winter fly tests its wings
bumping into walls

lilac scent
stuck at the back of my throat —
ducking Mother's Day

spirea blossoms —
a waterfall of white caught
in the act of falling

puddle or lake? —
centered in a flooded field
one lonely mallard