a rhythmic litany
pecan pie, butterfly
thistledown and coffee.

Each word a note
punctuating a memory
of family gatherings
and friendships
sandy beaches and road trips
mountain meadows, campfires
muted by the morning tears of a redolent primal breath
deftly lifting up the gaze of tired faces tilted
toward the earth, craving
an embrace that is worthy
of capturing, an ascending golden sun.
In a deepening crescendo
of kindness gently metered,
each inflection drifting
along an improvised score…

fern, flute
filbert tree, bumble bee
dewdrop
and chickadee
flitting toward a new day.
Chocolate cake
a snowflake,
calico cat
and finger paint
creating a rainbow
warmly wrapped in words once nearly forgotten,
faithfully collected from the crevices of scattered abalone,
revealed along the miles of a glistening shore 
pulled recently, swiftly
from deep within the grasp
of a passing thunderstorm.