kerby ave double octet

(2/2/17)

welcome mat with three woven sunflowers laid

cockeyed across parking strip grass; on the porch

an orange vinyl loveseat, upholstery

split; next door, a wading pool turned upside down

on black plastic by sleeping rhododendrons,

their buds clutched against this heatless & windblown sun—

on the far side of a cherry’s engraved bark,

crow perches atop a blue recycling bin

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under Tuscan capped columns, a black lantern

apparently nonchalant on a white post,

a stone wall maybe too perfect, baby blue

pail on the front steps—up the street a copper

planter with no sign of growth, glazed blue birdbath

listing north, the Japanese maple waiting

for next season, garden bench by a craftsman

column: crow’s wings open beyond all those wires

Jack Hayes

© 2017