MARS AND VENUS MEET IN LEO, JULY 2021
Mars had checked off all the boxes
had run a load of laundry—no, two
groceries were in; dog walked, fed
he’d even clipped his nose hair
(Mars’, not the dog’s)
had set his phone, email to auto-response
out of the office, returning Monday
air conditioning made July night bearable
drinks mixed, ice tinkled
pizza ready to fire later
Mars peeked into the mirror
checked his hair, grinned at himself
arranged his long, toned legs on the sofa
refrained from drumming his fingers
door pushed open, cloud of humidity escaped
despite whirring bathroom fan
fresh-washed hair subtly perfumed, cheeks flushed
Venus sang, bring me a drink?
Mars handed her the cocktail with a grin
she sipped, rolled her eyes at the steam
grabbed a plush towel, walked into the living room
spread her towel on the sofa next to Mars...
ONE DAY AT A TIME
pale winter sun foretells spring
gulls hunt inland on the river
December’s trees droop still-green leaves
soon to drop in icy rain
leaving thin, black branches shivering
SUMMER ECLIPSES, 2021
felt around the edges
like twilight seeping in
like a quake’s jittery first rumbles
as the full lunar eclipse ended May
I tore through my “to-do” list
Mercury retrograde set me reaching
for sugar instead of salt
and now suddenly, June’s solar eclipse
creates all the time needed
time to take photos
of southern magnolias
whose petals, creamy giant tears
fill morning air with pure sweetness
time to close my eyes, just ten minutes
becoming a two-hour nap, dead to the world
prior certainties feel nebulous, plans change
breathe in and out, let go
wait here for the mists to clear
Today’s LittleNip:
AT THE BUS STOP DURING A PANDEMIC
—Ann Wehrman
lockdown—fewer cars
sky swept clean
fluffy white puffs carry gray rain
sun glows through strands of
latticed black branches
nibbed to their tips
with uniform, tight, black buds
_____________________
—Medusa, with many thanks to Ann Wehrman and Chris Feldman for today’s fine collaboration! They were reaching for sugar, and they got it!
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