Desert Bird

The source of this one

lungful of air, this gasp, 

this surprise—

the sight of a Sage Thrasher

on this side of the mountain, 

far beyond its normal range,

yet obviously happy to have

awoken here in this moment 

knowing how to mimic rain.

[LSS, 1/4/21]

High-Water Mark

While you work out your ideas

for the meaty oyster, the perfect pearl, 

don’t forget to watch how high

the water rises on your studio wall.

Mark it down. 

That is your daily work, 

the timestamp of your labor. 

Forget about the pearl.

[LSS, 1/4/21]

Hammond World Atlas

Always the peninsula, 

the somewhere I’d place 

myself in some future life.

The lighthouse at the tip.

The view out to sea.

But mostly the island 

that floats away from 

that outstretched arm.

[LSS, 1/4/21]