summer lightning
at the crack of dawn
the temple conch

mare’s tail clouds —
Great Aunt pointing out
where stores used to be

high desert sun
the field of poppies
shining back

afternoon tea
wind chimes mingle
with the river’s sound

sultry night
the breeze from a fan
stirs up the gossip

kudzu greening
the iron gate posts —
a buck’s velvet antlers

summer pasture
a calf licks dew
from the cattle gate

midday heat
the sheen of fish scales
on the pier

last color
left in the sky
a flicker’s call

aftershock
the music box takes up
where it left off