before I notice

/ one bird greets / then sparse answers /
city trees in strips of earth / buckle sidewalks

I think
what future /

sun warms / twilight burns / sundown blisters
/ night does not prevent /

worry

I scratch / pry / peel away to sore and tender /
the warnings were valid /should have been heeded /

in realm of lazy dog / sulky cat / the goldfish and the bowl
here is my problem –
hubris of thought / humility of skin /
what I want to believe / my thin protection

risk / rousing /
now /

white sun blares behind blank haze / draws moisture /
drools heavy light / makes lanterns from leaves /
lights unfallen droplets

notice /

the body’s waters / mucus / spit / the busy fluid of the cells / blood /
are called / there is a yearn to yield to turning /
the tides /the flood the ebb / the whole unknowing knowing
poem and photo by Jo Mariner