goldfinches busy
seeking seeds and building nests —
first bird of the day

fledgling catbirds
teaching by example —
ask for what you want

willing food
to fall from the skies
over Gaza

waxing crescent moon —
fireflies swim through the dark
seeking each other

I practice resisting
the urge to give advice
as he drives away

a layer of mist
hovers just above the grass —
the day still wrapped

warm nights following
even warmer days —
leave the fans running

we find out later
that ICE has come and gone
a few blocks from here

signaling
the second half of summer —
cicada choir

I apologize
one more time for how slowly
understanding dawned

cooler mornings —
we lean into skipping
the ice in our drinks

cicadas joining
the sunset cricket chorus —
summer thickens

closing the curtains
we spy a few more fireflies 
still sending signals

orange zest and
freshly ground cardamom —
she makes her own cake

reading before bed —
the mosquito near my ear
has other ideas

tucking protest signs
in the back seat of my car —
staying ready

tiny hummingbird
fiercely shimmering
at the edge of sight

just shy of fifty.
a mighty tree has fallen,
roots ripped from the earth.

at the rise of Meeting
we discuss the messages
we most want to be heard

don't drive through water —
I hear my grandfather's voice
and go the long way

short summer nights —
the air moves aside briefly
to let us slip through

lining up our walk
so we can keep the Buck Moon
in glorious view

darkening skies —
we feel the thunder
somewhere inside

no justice, no peace —
new protestors chanting
the old chants

zinnia buds
clenched a little less tightly
first thing this morning

this, our broken world —
from the forest, a wood thrush
threads a mending song

we swim long laps
leading and drafting
by turns

lizards running through
the elementary school garden 
now that it's summer

a mockingbird pair
in near-constant flight 
feeding their nestlings

I unstick myself
from the living room couch
to look for the half moon

the mockingbird
stops on a low branch, thinking
of taking a break