Sweet scents
of lavender
and sweetgrass
blend with sage
cedar
and furniture polish
as footsteps
carry
through the door
and black fluff
rubs
against ankles
in greeting
Pretty faces
greet us
vibrantly
to remind us
summer
isn’t just
a slow crawl
through hell
but a
fleeting moment
of beauty
to lift the spirit
and draw out
a smile
Lie down
and stay a while
with the
douglas fir
towering above
and pine needles
to cushion
your back
as you stare up
at the sky
and watch
patterns of light
sift
through branches
Kisses
are important
between
you and I
and as I share
I worry
things are changing
in ways
I don’t want
just because
my honesty
is hurting
those I love
perhaps silence
is best
after all