Sleep

 
 
 

Last day of the month—
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
a feral cat sleeps.

Crumbs

 
 
 

Little brown sparrow,
 
does someone need to tell you
 
where the best crumbs are?

Tête-à-tête

 
 
 

Little brown sparrow,
 
come and share my marmalade—
 
breakfast tête-à-tête.

Empty

 
 
 

Little brown sparrow,
 
the streets are mostly empty,
 
except for your song.

Shadows

 
 
 

first week of July—
 
shadows from the almond tree
 
settle in my lap