over the Earth’s rim

a tentative sun peeps out

women clear rubble

as the leaves darken

sun assumes its autumn stance

oblique shadows fall

our garden birds hush

a kite, its long-fingered wings

playing a thermal

butterflies dance while

wrens flit ’round a dripping tap

vying for a sip

a few drops of rain

outside I remain seated

letting thoughts refresh

one dark cloud lingers

in blue skies above the house

casts a long shadow

three little ducklings

our meeting interrupted

we scatter some crumbs

last night the moon

a slice of watermelon

almost within reach

from a balcony

ripped laundry streams in tatters

above the rubble

how still the tulips

their heads weighed down by teardrops

shed from troubled skies