sitting in the shade
 
marking the passing of May
 
with sweet jasmine tea

 
 

First-of-May surprise—
 
a way opens before me
 
where none was before.

 
 
 

Cloudless May morning—
 
we mark the last days of spring,
 
longing for some rain.

 

 
 
 

The children next door
 
try to outshout the May wind
 
that roars through their yard.

 

 
 
 

On the first of May
 
I’m weeping as the river
 
slowly fades away.

 

 
 
 

Second day of May—
 
wind ruffles the plum tree’s leaves
 
and my daughter’s hair.

Paycheck

 
 
 

first paycheck of May—
 
a few bucks earmarked for books
 
and the rest for bills