Porch swing chains squeak,
an orange and gray cat rolls in the sand,
a dozen different birds sing
not a breath of wind stirs the leaves.

A mosquito buzzes incessantly,
the crows loud caw drowns out everything
a deer glides through the woods,
as I continue to swing and watch.

Down the hill, a red robin glows neon
against the brown and green backdrop
of oak, sweetgum, elm, and pine,
a woodpecker begins it's drumming.

Purple finches rummage through leaf litter,
below a hanging seed feeder,
in early morning sunlight beams,
I have to cough, it silences the woods.

But only for a moment.