3 PM In My Backyard During the Pandemic

written in conversation with James Wright’s “Lying in a Hammock at William Duffy’s Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota”

Over my head, the ruby-throated hummingbirds
          hover and whirr

Bronze-green blurs of motion, until one turns his head—
          flash of scarlet.

The street in front of my house is deserted. I can hear
          distant traffic.

To my left, the neighbor’s giant blue spruce towers,
          tallest around

Shimmers and sparkles as if hung with tinsel for Christmas
          bleeding resin.

I lean back as the afternoon light falls on my laptop
          for two more hours.

I haven’t left the house since lockdown began in March.
          I have worked hard.

Books Available
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Country Well-Known as an Old Nightmare's Stable
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