Friday, July 3, 2026

Song of the Would-Be Backyard Pets

The hummingbird trills what I need to hear
From somewhere up the bottlebrush tree.

The heavy fruitfall avocado bounty 
Bears the elsewhere wisdom of the elders.

Sometimes it's merely the wind
Rings the chimes.

There are other collectives
But none of them talk to us.

Dolphins? No. Whales? 
Forget about that.

But the crow
Is sharp-tongued guide

And now the spider caught in light
Is only dancing.