October’s first day—
 
a few hard green pears still cling
 
to my backyard tree.

 
 
 

In my fantasies
 
lotuses are galaxies,
 
backyard ponds are seas.

 
 
 

Five backyards away
 
I hear a desolate dove
 
calling for its mate.

 
 
 

Defying winter,
 
the sunflowers keep blooming
 
near my backyard fence.

 
 
 

autumn pilgrimage
 
round and round my own backyard—
 
Covid quarantine

 
 
 

Birds, bees, and blossoms—
 
everything I need is here
 
in my own backyard.

 
 
 

Deepening summer—
 
rats have stolen every grape
 
from my backyard vine.

 
 
 

With morning glories
 
blooming on the backyard fence,
 
why shouldn’t I sing?

 
 
 

Morning’s first strong light—
 
a crow imprints its shadow
 
on my backyard fence.

 
 
 

April afternoon—
 
gazanias in the backyard
 
shine brighter than suns.