While you are still sleeping,
I leave my subdivision for my morning walk.
“No Outlet” declares the yellow sign posted by the road,
so my only escape route is south,
then I turn west and follow the pasture fence line.
I’ve taken to picking up trash along the way
reciting a catchy rhyme I made up for the process—
This is for the birds and the bees and
The flowers and the trees and you-s and the me-s
As I turn north into the bordering neighborhood
a tiny poodle runs across wet grass barking his welcome
A strange voice calls him back
I know this house
a graceful egret—a work of art,
stands eternally feeding in the
shelter of the oak on the front lawn,
a cat often lolls lazily nearby
I suspect the dog is visiting
I walk mostly in the dark
lovely starlight and cricket music
traveling with me
keeping me company
But on the journey back
It is the eastern sky I notice
like the light in our house
welcoming me home
Walking in Starlight
In the early morning hours
when it is still dark outside
I walk under your stars
that have been watching
over me for so long and
over my small neighborhood
where the wandering armadillo make holes in my yard
a few purple periwinkle thrive wildly beside the fence post
from some hiden spot a blooming gardenia shares her extravagant gift
an old cedar tree leans toward the outstretched hand of the young palmetto
the gentle cows rise from bended knees to greet me
while my difficult neighbor stirs restlessly in his sleep
--a man who takes joy is telling me not to travel his road
Light and love don’t recognize boundaries
So I pray blessing on the man who wants to protect the private space
I’ve learned I can watch and pray from the dark edges of night
As your stars do over and over and over
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