four drops of rain
thrown sideways from a cloud
that kept it moving

hot summer nights —
we drive into the mountains
chasing cooler air

after-image —
most days it's the fox I see
pausing to look back

corn on the cob —
the stand at the field's edge
piled high with treasure

we move the small hill
made from last year's fallen tree
one shovel at a time

cloudy day swim —
a five year-old asks her mom
where's the sunny spot?

taking out the trash
after choosing a new fighter —
more spring in my step

when did cicadas
become the loudest voice?
(late night summer choir)

waking up tired —
come sit next to me and breathe
be my calm center

mosquito morning —

a fast-flying hummingbird

adds to the buzz

 

full moon with crickets —
our half-eaten garden flowers
plan to try again

sage in summer —
I run my fingers through it
to bring the scent with me

the sound of the wind
translated into scratches —
branch tips at the screen

squirrels with white tails —
reactions separating
visitors from locals

stand over the sink,
peach juice dripping down your arm —
let summer run out

trying to get close
enough to toast marshmallows —
bonfire s'mores

tornado warning —
the Midwesterners show us
how not to worry

waxing half moon —
giving my little sister
the bigger piece

talking to myself —
I fill in the blank spaces
of our missed call

traveling west —
the sun keeps us company
well past our evening meal

across the crowd
we nod in recognition —
the only two masking

twin fawns 
becoming triplets
at the edge of sight

waxing crescent moon
presiding over one more
hot cloudless night

slowing down
before and after the fox
runs back into the night

real fireflies —
reminding us that borders
are imaginary

startled into flight
trailing their wavering song —
brilliant goldfinches

early summer —
fledglings on low branches
still hoping to be fed

lured by the sound
of water in the bird bath —
finches taking turns

garden love —
when you know to bring water
before it's asked for

long hill coming up —
I like the feeling of my legs
getting ready

telling the saplings
they need to come up farther
away from the house