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summer’s first full moon—

among the plum tree’s branches

finding a new home

Downpour

first summer downpour—

mannequins in the window

hoisting umbrellas

frayed summer jacket

forgotten in the toolshed

right sleeve hosts a mouse

except for one plum

nothing’s left of the harvest

after last night’s wind

straw hat on a stick—

one look, and ravenous crows

flap to the next field

summer’s first heat wave—

even the loudmouthed rooster

is too stunned to crow

first week of summer—

the stone Buddha’s ample lap

filling up with rain

first gloom of summer—

even bullfrogs are silent

near the backyard pond

first nap of summer—

a migrant fresh out of work

dreams of picking corn

After the solstice,

even the river eel swims

with newfound vigor.