Published: 14 May 2026

the perfection of spring

the moment before the rain
after the garden has been planted
when children play, the air riven
with silver laughter, let them be
soon it will rain

the moment before the rain
the garden alive, trembles
timid nascent shoots wait
to unfold; the smell of lilac
anticipation graces the air

the moment before the rain
still, conversations carry
past fences, twilight lasts and
lasts, laughing children have
joined the wild and escaped

the moment before the rain
children run away, shouting
“come back” only makes everyone
smile in resignation
no one sleeps tonight

before the rain
quiet waiting, birds
still, a pause, smell
indefinable,
exact, like no other

More Poetry:

Pun-aphors

A pigeon flew at me and made me duck.
I was excited by the bow and arrow, but I no longer get that quiver.
I wanted to write an alphabet in a boat, but I floundered at sea.
I got a dog and wanted us to have pet Latin names — he was going to be Canus, but my friend said “You can’t be Sirius.”

Your Evil Eye

Your evil eye
is much more beautiful
than the other one.

Your evil eye

WW#3

WW#3’s on, no one knows it
first one who says so — they’re the one who blows it
satellite views won’t disclose it
eleven o’clock news is on, but somebody sold it

Father and Child in the Water

You’ve taken her further than Mom would,
now, her giggles are sneezes and tears.
I look up from my book, see you splash,
try to scare the voracious horse fly

white cat

white cat appears at the head of the stairs
disappears as footsteps approach
white cat rests on the crest of the wave
skitters away across multiple planes

Northern water, once again

Get in the water.
This fresh lake bears no threat,
close to mother as you could imagine.

First steps seem simple,
but be deliberate. Step
into the lake, into the water, away

Related

Pun-aphors

Pun-aphors

A pigeon flew at me and made me duck.
I was excited by the bow and arrow, but I no longer get that quiver.
I wanted to write an alphabet in a boat, but I floundered at sea.
I got a dog and wanted us to have pet Latin names — he was going to be Canus, but my friend said “You can’t be Sirius.”

read more
WW#3

WW#3

WW#3’s on, no one knows it
first one who says so — they’re the one who blows it
satellite views won’t disclose it
eleven o’clock news is on, but somebody sold it

read more

1 Comment

  1. Heather Kerslake

    a beutiful season to be sure
    Love you words xo

    Reply

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