While a swath across
the crouching shrubs
has gone crispy yellow-brown
on autumn’s cusp
the waning blooms take a break
in the raised bed out back
and the leaves are fast asleep
in the garden pot
under a mild sun.

In the desert summer dusk,
a surprising gust
of crisp air as children
play and bicker
near the delicate patter
of the lawn sluice,
the sizzling food
on the barbecue
to be served soon.

Before you know it
the daylight is gone
and the porch light
flickers on but like
moth’s wings, throws
off that buzzing sound
bulbs sometimes make when
their time is nearly gone.