plymouth

green dragonfly on the window pane
the air heavy with heat and water
clouds blow swiftly east
but i am sheltered from the breeze

grass, mulch, patio wet
with yesterday’s rain and today’s sprinklers
spiderwebs under plants and in mulch
made visible by drops of water

maple seeds scatter over the ground
dislodged by wind and rain
instead of by the hands of squirrel
the seeds remain intact instead of eaten
helicopters discarded

a finch perches on telephone wire
framed by trees and cloudy sky
its song louder and more distinguishable than the rest
a finch perches on the fence
managing its food

when space opens up in the clouds
the sun shines with a bewildering brightness
light of sun and shadow of cloud
sunlight and cloud shadow on the trees contrast
the light that is food
the shadow that is refuge

the lilacs are fading