Another Summer Morning

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.

Summer Thank You Before Returning To School

There's some summer weeks left, but as we get ready to return to school, there's reason for giving thanks for the happiest months of July and August! Soooo.....

For the animals I've played with or admired from a distance ~  Thank you God!
For time with my parents, relatives and friends ~ Thank you God!
For the pleasure of sleeping later -  a morning breeze through my window ~ Thank you God!

For the trips I made and for safety in traveling ~ Thank you God!
For the books I've read, the moon and night-time stars ~ Thank you God!
For the music I've heard or made myself ~ Thank you God!

For water's gift  in pools and ponds, ocean and shower-head ~ Thank you God!
For the smell of cut grass and flowers that please ~ Thank you God!
For the food at the barbecue ~ summer storms that clean the air ~ Thank you God!

For new clothes to wear, colored sneakers for my feet ~ Thank you God!
For the energy inside me for running and play ~ Thank you God!
For air-conditioners on hot and humid days ~ Thank you God!

For rainbows, sun, clouds  and sky ~ Thank you God!
For doctors and nurses and even the dentist ~ Thank you God!
For all the signs that I am loved and cared for ~ do I notice? Thank you God!

For mother's patience with noise and mess ~ Thank you God!
For tomatoes and melons, peaches and basil,
  zucchini and string beans, lettuce and corn ~ Thank you God!

My now 6th grade friend, Katie, has said that any prayer-list of summer gratifications ought to include ice cream - preferably in and on a cone. Yes indeed! Thank you God!