We focus on the sunlight, water
out our back French doors, inviting
us to break the stay-at-home order.
Shore birds, vultures, the Kingfisher
risk arrest, go about their business;
it’s not as bad as it seems. Flowers
on red and blue Passions proliferate,
a Hibiscus shows flippant disregard.
* * *
What will it take to shake
us out of our cave of safety —
a dearth of wine, farewell
to the last few sheets, need
for animal protein on the grill?
We were unnerved when gloves
on our hands we seen as crazed,
paranoid — but now being unmasked
is considered next to suicidal.
Our grandparents and before
them, generations learned
what separates want from need,
and how to do without — to live
without.
* * *
A Great Blue is settled, focused
on the tiny fish but a few weeks
hatched. Softback turtles bask
in sunlight that seems to carry
a taint that I wasn’t sensible
of at the start of March — March,
that sidled in so unassuming.
We have another month inside,
or more… or more. An angry
pair of Jays are harassing
one of many Red Shouldered
Hawks. We, for comfort’s
sake, name them Reggie.
We stay at home, sipping
Sangria, toasting our health.
Life in Portofino 