While exercising today,

I winged my way to Mexico.

After so many gray days.

it was good to see the sun

even if it was an imaginary one.

JDG

The neighbors beam when

Knox picks up their fallen branches

and brings them home

to add to his growing collection.

Needless to say, I do not.

JDG

After so many overcast days,

I looked up at the sky 

and asked for a smile.

A few minutes later there’s a plop

on my shoulder as the smiling

messenger flew by. Glancing upward,

with gritted teeth I said. “I really

don’t care for your brand of humor.

JDG

We welcomed into our home

the sound of falling rain,

a multitude of bird melodies, 

wind rustle, the mooing of distant cows. 

At night we fell asleep listening to

the steady trill of crickets and cicadas,

and all because our air conditioner broke

forcing us to open windows that had long been shut.

We discovered how closed off we’d been …

and found failure can bring unexpected openings.

JDG

 Can’t say I was singing

in the rain, but I did give thanks

that things were better

than the forecast.

No flooding here, the roads were clear

and on Sunday I walked and Knox chased deer.

JDG

Like us, trees change at varying rates.

Some rush ahead, leaves ablaze,

while others slowly shift from green to gold.

There are also those who show no signs

of change and seem to remain ever green.

But in the end, for them and us, growing stops

and there’s a big and final change.

JDG

The birds let me know

it’s quite okay tp put out

food on rainy days.

Lined up on the porch rail,

they stare my way til I 

surrender and obey.

JDG

After working overtime

all summer, the air conditioner

decided to go on strike.

We’re calling the professionals

for a therapeutic intervention.

JDG

The rough tongue

of my softly purring cat

licks my fingertips

as we settle in

for a night’s rest.

Soon she nods off

as I lie awake

wishing falling asleep\

was as easy for me

as it is for her.

JDG