This early morning time
belongs to the geese, obviously.
There is no urgency to wake up,
though some are stretching
and some are blinking sleepily
and some are preening

The voices of the kayakers come first,
followed by the clunk of paddles,
followed by the view of them,
and then the water
circling and settling
after their turbulence

A man across the slough
fills water cans from his dock
and showers the green foliage
in his yard

Small birds sing rich songs,
light from the water shimmers in trees.
Summer will burn strong today.
For now the air is peaceful —
coolness of the breeze a soft benevolence.
Trees will hold its remnant in their shade.

©Wendy Mulhern
June 24, 2017