a strong southerly wind gust

rips across birdbath’s shimmering waters,

sunshine radiant across the Lilliputian surf

a whole civilization will die tonight

while so-called civilized legislators stand by

as a madman froths at the mouth

band of darkness

in the southwest sky

I peruse Weather Bug

to help plan our day

forsythia’s yellow feelers —

in full bloom,

crabgrass preventer’s

clarion call

marigolds,

not yet blooming,

I sow their seeds

with joyful

anticipation

tiny pink diamonds

shine on woodland floor

garter snake slithers

through last autumn’s leaves