Après le quatrième

morning stillness
a gentle breeze
seeping humidity
through the trees,
purple red flowers boast
backyard gardens
bending branches
like willow protecting
their habitats...
minor incursions from
restless squirrels and
chipmunks seldom seen
in the lonesome valley
summertime...
snakes curl under rocks
beside streams and ponds,
turtles bask on stones
flattened by age
wind and sun mostly
hidden in water...
spiders repair webs
trampled by movement,
ants dig holes underground
expanding territory...
decks occupied by humans
never noticing the
beauty of their environment
once celebrations end.

July 5, 2025