Each day I spread the same seed 

 along the same porch rail 

and wait to see who shows up,

who dines peacefully and who starts a fuss.

Every now and then one of them

leaves a shiny tip. I appreciate the gesture,

but their colorful presence is reward enough.

JDG

During the dry spell

we waited impatiently for the rain,

but we failed to foresee

when it finally came

it would make such a big splash.

JDG

When I return home

Knox meets me at the door,

lifts his head and howls

as though asking me

where the **** I’ve been.

It’s good to know

I’ve been missed.

JDG

When the downpour came,

the birds fled the feeder, but

returned to dine in the drizzle.

JDG

As far as I know,

the only creatures consumed

with needless worry

belong to that bewildering

species called human.

JDG

I don’t think that bird

is thinking of tomorrow

or even yesterday. I wonder

what it would be like to live

without plans or regrets,

free as that bird 

splashing in the fountain.

JDG

I looked up and saw a small sparrow

staring through the window at me. 

Earlier I had fed him and now

his curiosity was feeding me.

JDG

The space between us

slowly shrinks as each of us

takes the other’s hand.

JDG

That brown-headed cowbird

didn’t come to the feeder to eat.

He did a sidewise dance

along the porch rail, 

and when the other birds

didn’t look up, he shook his head

and flew quickly away.

JDG