1

New York Pause

Red on red a cardinal

flies into the red maple

stop sign red signals

STOP!  I am stress tsunami

down, red on red stopped

summon ancient forces:

baby, fire, cannon,

crocodile breath, OM.      A sigh

all I can manage.

2

Social Distance

Birds have their own protocol.

Thrush, lark, wren     distance.

Geese fly spaced, each wing’s

up-flow helps a neighbor.  Can

humans grace distance?

3

Move it

Rocks seem to sit.  Frost

heave, incessant rain, they’re off

in a new direction.  Clang,

my shovel hits a

hunk of granite!  You mustn’t

interfere with rosebush roots.

4

And Now

Glorious day today after

rain’s drench.  Suncrisp, cleansed air.

Soaked soil squelches mud,

obliterates foot fall and

mosses delicate fruit.