July 12: Cardinal

last call
in the near dark a cardinal
fades to black

July 11: Bee balm

wish fulfillment
hummingbird at the bee balm
planted for her

July 10: Willow

wishes for rain
stirred by the passing front
the weeping willow

July 9: Camden Harbor

last of the wild roses
my thoughts too
headed out to sea

July 8: Damselfly

reminding me
how alone I am
bluet on my bare arm

July 7: Neighbor’s party

next door a party’s 
started, startling
the catbirds also

July 6: Dawn chorus

am I awake
or still sleeping?
counting birds at dawn

July 5: Birthday

twelfth birthday
damselflies shifting
from one reed to another

July 4: Fourth of July

Fourth of July
red streaking the sky
scarlet tanager

July 3: Ozone

high ozone levels
breathing deeply
the last peony’s perfume

July 2: Cocktail

holy communion
Buddha ice cube
dissolving in my cocktail