gray clouds gather
a few raindrops fall
there is a storm rolling in
blackbirds chirping
flocking in treetops
warning the dog and woman
in the yard below
maple tree flowering
redbud budding
burr oak tree barely leafing
old nest from last season
still resting in high up branches
breeze is cooler
blowing faster
chimes chime louder
there is a storm rolling in
it’s going to cut loose
soon

sleep

I slept four hours

hard

thanks to Sandman

and the cat

they both cuddled me

fast asleep

sometime before ten

now it’s the wee hours

of the night

full dark outside

I can hear the clock tick

and the chimes chime

my child’s cough

from up the stairs

I’ll tuck back in

before the sun rises

or midday

for a nap

home feels good

after four nights

in the hospital

we’re together 

again

sleepin’ under

the same roof

as it should be