The natural order of things resumes after a summer storm
in our backyard habitat highlight a syncopated symphony
like sacral chakra notes—
the raspy bass of our early morning voices
a fan cooling our feet while we read the newspaper
the sound of sipping coffee
the thump of the cat jumping down from a sill
settling beneath my chair.
The birds are quiet for now asleep in their nests
we know they are there but can’t see them
through fully blossomed trees
crickets rubbing their legs together chirp a hello
Who will protect these creatures from the next storm?
How do they protect their homes and their young?
What of the raccoons, possums, squirrels, groundhogs,
rabbits and occasional deer that call our yard home?
Where do they go when in danger?
Where will we go when we no longer have a sanctuary?
—
Margaret R. Sáraco published two poetry collections, If There Is No Wind and Even the Dog Was Quiet (Human Error Publishing). She was recognized in the Laura Boss and Eyelands book awards contests, won first prize for her poem “Dear Rorschach” in Moving Words, earned Honorable Mentions in the Allen Ginsberg Poetry contests and a Pushcart Prize nomination. Margaret is a member of Writing the Land, a collaboration between poets and protected lands.
