September 14, 2011

Today I offer praise to the wet black branches of the trees
     with their dripping leaves serving little drinks to all the birds
and to the clouds covering up the sun who certainly
     has had a lot to say in weeks past
and to the cottonwood tree a ways off there
     standing tall and magnanimous
and to the barking dogs who exercise admirable restraint
     unlike my own crazy half terrier
and to the makers of pens and paper for giving me
     these simple tools for happiness
and to the barred owl of last night with its strange
     cry and soothing whooo
and last but not least to the open windows of my house
     without whom none of this would be as grand.
Thank you, All.