While weeding this morning at the start of July,
at the top of its summer range,
a male Hooded Warbler
landed on a branch
three feet away,
at the edge of the woods.
Olive green top,
yellow below,
black hood and throat,
white flash in its tail,
its onomatopoeic song
emphatic and clear,
weeta-weeta-wee-tee-o.
The Dutch and Siberian Iris long spent,
the Japanese have now stepped in
to do their bit,
blooming full-flood.
Lavender and yellow-centered,
atop tall, strong, straight stems,
the petals stretch across
an eight inch diameter,
elegant and dreamy.
Simple beauty:
like Bethlehem,
may it teach us to love
the things
that are deeply human.
