at the garden's edge
all green angles and cocked head —
praying mantis

filling the bird bath —
warm autumn afternoons
perfect for preening

maples leaves starting
to think about turning —
we switch to long socks

watch the grass revive
as rain soaks the earth —
we perk up too

early autumn —
the inside and outside air
call a truce

we each built a home
in the children's book section —
tucked like a bookmark

so deep our relief
when we could see stars again —
quiet constant guides

unrelenting rain —
we come home to remember
what dry feels like

restless starlings
swirling their way towards dusk —
I plan my trip home