June

I was worried January’s ash would find it’s way into the tomatoes.

I was right to be

the hint of smoke reminds me we’ve earned them

the sunflowers stretch above the crumbling trellis

the herons will spot them when they learn to stop squawking and leave the nest

I know what its like to stay

to be grounded by the things you know you must do

the gravity of a life yet to be lived looms beyond the sky

a celestial body

it is hard to get out of bed

the days are growing warmer and I wake up sweating

I listen to your tinny chanting in the garden

Your music box voice is ripening the strawberries

There is no relief like knowing the song is for me too

My insides growing to fill my skin

pushing the ash out of my pores

Courage is the warbling sound of my breath catching in my throat

I hear your song

and I am trying to sing it too.