As July winds down,
 
the husband of a friend dies
 
unexpectedly.

 
 
 

As July winds down,
 
the stone Buddha’s lap fills up
 
with empty wind songs.

 
 
 

birds in my plum tree
 
snatching up hapless insects
 
for their midday snack

 
 
 

Sunshine, books, and tea—
 
on a languid summer day
 
a taste of all three!

 
 
 

Deep summer longing:
 
to see morning glories bloom
 
before July ends.

 
 
 

midsummer delight—
 
browsing the library stacks
 
to find a good read

 
 
 

the soothing music
 
of wind chimes beyond my fence
 
and a barking dog

 
 
 

midsummer delight—
 
taking a long, slow road trip
 
without knowing where

 
 
 

Crows, doves, dragonflies—
 
on summer days these pilgrims
 
sanctify our yard.

 
 
 

A crack in the fence—
 
I can see the grass has died
 
in my neighbor’s yard.