Mid May
Walking to work
The sun already up and warm by 6:00
Poppies, daisies, the last of the azaleas
Rotting lettuces and insect-shredded cabbages
Rows of newly-planted tomatoes, eggplants
The sudden sweetness of honeysuckle
The bush warbler's song from deep in the bamboo
On the way home
The moon, full and clear
The pulsing croak of frogs
The gnats, the bats
The keening buzz of solitary insects
Lights in the windows
The smell of evening meals
--Julian
