Last day of the month—
 
more rain is in the forecast,
 
more tea in my cup.

 
 
 

Long after midnight
 
I keep counting the raindrops
 
hitting the porch roof.

 
 
 

From my neighbor’s oak
 
a crow with a strident voice
 
keeps harassing me.

 
 
 

Blackbird, O blackbird,
 
why are you calling the oak
 
by another name?

 
 
 

In a grove of oaks
 
twilight settles like a cat
 
ready for a nap.

Rooster

 
 
 

Silly old rooster!
 
Do you think the storm will stop
 
because you’re crowing?

Argument

 
 
 

Long after midnight
 
the next-door neighbors argue—
 
deepening winter.

Owl

 
 
 

Owl in my oak tree,
 
have you nothing to give me
 
but your mournful song?

Cup

 
 
 

Left out in the rain,
 
a tiny espresso cup
 
soon fills to the brim.

Wind

 
 
 

Wind, relentless wind!
 
The sparrow gives up singing
 
long before midday.