if they can't stand us
we will wait and watch them sweat
we who have always been

a lightning bug finds us
still holding hands
as Pride month winds down

candles winking out
as the wind 
makes my wish for me

nightly news antidote —
I count the baby's toes
as he lies sleeping

wide open window —
I think about welcoming
a cool breeze and you

watermelon days —
my sister still won't tell me
her seed-spitting trick

the sound of wings —
a sparrow turns a puddle
into a bath

after last year's drought
we catch ourselves exclaiming
over each new green

warm seaside air
carrying salt and sand —
let's bring some back home

Solstice pine warbler —
concentrating the sun's fire
on the topmost branch

Solstice eve —
girls standing beside dahlias
for a photo op

Provincetown again —
walking hand-in-hand as though
pride was a given

is this the last time?
I try to listen, not worry —
song of the wood thrush

clover holding on
to the remnants of rain —
my first barefoot day

tell about the time
we fell asleep to the sound
of crickets tuning

early morning walk —
saying farewell to Venus
and the crescent moon

rain leaving behind
flattened grass and flowers
on their way back up

the flash of yellow
as the flicker flies away 
stays with me all day

summer street games —
the girls take turns testing
who can lift up who

summer coming through —
silver mound artemisia
showing up after all

wildflower seeds —
we wait for the meadow
to trust in itself

let me think that I'm
joining the conversation —
whistling at the birds

undeniable
rip tide pulling me —
this need for rest

my watering eyes
reflecting back scarcity,
precarity

throats full of smoke —
fledgling cedar waxwings
sing down the octave

just beneath the wind 
I hear my father saying
"Great day for sailing!"

shorter and shorter —
the fledgling's hesitation
before it takes flight

earlier sunrise —
the birds sing out to ensure
we don't miss it

backyard drama —
a blue jay's hawk imitation
scatters the sparrows

just the sound of kids
messing around at the pool —
June starting out strong