the squirrels are chasing tails
playing tag. A bunny hops
in, grazing the grass. A jay bird
passes by blending into the azure

sky. My son looks like
a pea in the pod, wrapped up
in the hammock swinging from
the oak. He pokes his head out

and closes his eyes. The leaves are
a canopy of green. The smell of the
burgers cooking on the grill are making
my tummy do pirouettes. The deck

is as gray as the hair on my head,
splintering in parts. Poison ivy is growing out
of the slats. I sit back in the chair and
laugh as I sip a cold, frothy beer. And thank
the stars that summer is here!