042921b

 droughtmonitor.unl.edu

I had no idea that the southwestern US was about to try up into dust and blow away. I haven't seen anything about it in the news. Good thing there's no climate change!

042921

 

70F at dawn

it's all uphill from here

no rain forecast

101619b

surprise lilies
drink up the rain
late bloomers

101319c

the limp green
of incipient drought
the brown blooms of it

100319e

drought
arrangement of dried flowers
in the garden

100319d

breaking off
crispy weeds in flower beds
drought

061919b

walking the dry creek
picking up one more turtle
sheltered by the oaks

062217b

Cindy rains and rain
fond memories of last year's drought
grow like fungus on our feet

010717b

the dead forest casts
long shadows across the sand
still no rain

122216

the feeder lies empty
when can the birds eat
are there drought-grown seeds
in the crisp brown grass
the seeds are in a plastic tub
in a house
the door is not locked
the finches flutter at the knob
wrens at the cat door
cardinals at the window
but no one's home
rain does not fall
if these were migrants
they could leave

120416b

rainy enough
to unsettle plans
trees ain't feelin' it

120216b

winter rain
grass greens at last

101516

Honorable mention in the Poetry Nook weekly contest. It's free to compete. Sale to Star*line & one to Lupine Lunes (Popcorn Press anthology).

Pecans fell like hail in a windstorm this week. Even in a drought (at least 6 weeks w no rain), the lone tree tries to reproduce.

drought monitor
says moderate to severe
crispy grass


I went grocery shopping early in the morning as usual. Many of the clerks appear to be high school or college students, and I see them on a Saturday morning.

supermarket clerk
can't keep her eyes open
know the feeling

100216

the crispy brown grass
blew over the ivory fox
wide blue sky

091716

Our drought has only lasted a couple of weeks, but this morning's sprinkle doesn't really end it. We need more. Otherwise? Hoses again!


one yellow pepper
with a hint of orange
a few green knuckles

091316

Jerusalem artichoke
leaves curl into themselves
more than a tan

083116b

a week without rain
pecans in tight green hulls
bounce on hot cement