finally, they’ve discovered that “seeds can hear rain” it makes sense that when rain speaks, the little guys say “Okay, guess it’s time to sprout” now if only I could understand a plant’s cries for help, I’d squeeze clouds into a can and start pouring oh Gary, what a poor excuse for failing to read body language you know by now, wilted leaves are practically shouting “Hey – we’re thirsty over here!”

I’m up the dull light of 5:45 a.m. not as annoying as the heat in the living room that hits me, sneaking out from the bedroom’s A/C flipping the switch on the house A/C the motor kicks on like it doesn’t want to get up either dogs still asleep on the bed husband buried there somewhere, too the waterfall of the pond churns white where it assaults the water so much fresh oxygen, I’m jealous one dog comes out to greet me punches through the doggie door, pees, sniffs what

I’ve watched them raid trash cans, pierce bags, open containers, pick carrion off the street and once kill and carry another bird back to the nest I’ve seen them as dedicated mothers and fathers, tending to the needs of their children, who seem to endlessly whine and complain once in the middle of courting, one dropped a pebble with a bow of nicely preened feathers, the other deciding on the gifted gem ravens are cruel and brash, social and sensitive, caring and smart a