in this half-light
the garden troll
mistaken for a Buddha statue
counting leaves
as they fall
the child runs out of numbers
bus stop graffiti
“Nothing Lasts Forever”
removed by work crew
ants on parade —
on closer look:
a handful of scattered raisins
young men
yoga-bragging in the deli —
"100 downward dogs, dude!"
taking a new route home —
stone pagoda
how long have you been here?
stepping into your snow prints—
the walk home
quickens
tai chi
beside a frozen waterfall —
young man / seagull
forgive me
for not recognizing you
disguised in an old woman's body
rain puddle —
tipping over
into my own reflection
hearts
chalked on the sidewalk —
step carefully
a strong wind —
collapsible umbrella
collapses
evening breeze
the neighbor's bamboo
returns my bow
spring morning
a coven of daffodils
up to no good
on the clothesline:
a dozen blue handkerchiefs —
my neighbor's prayer flags
asleep
in her own shadow —
black cat
almost Easter —
neighbor's Halloween porch
even scarier now
with a worm in its mouth
the fat robin
sings to itself
an open basement window
raccoon accepts
the invitation
wind chimes on your back porch
after all these years
the same breeze
cutting through the parking lot
I never expected to see you —
poppies
outside my favorite restaurant
a gang
of delinquent bees
worn-out sofa
on the side of the road —
we rest awhile
a moment ago
it wasn't there —
first iris
filling her wagon
with yellow irises
the girl can't stop laughing
early morning walk
distracted by spring
bee and I collide
you're not home —
your cats greet me at the window —
they miss you too
at the open door
of the neighborhood bakery
pausing — just to sniff
still life:
one summer squash, two green tennis balls —
my neighbor's Sunday porch
passing a stranger on the street
he smells so good
dare I tell him so?
in full winter bloom
my neighbor's garden —
plastic flowers
different smells
at my old house —
and the hollyhocks are gone
under his snowy hat
the Hare Krishna man
again and again
PEACE
(the brick you placed
in the public garden) —
I'm standing on it
