Basement Flood Benefits

is she a queen cat
or the princess and the pea?
at least she's safe. warm.

Ready, Set, Rise

winter sunrise strokes
as soft as with a paintbrush
with red glow on snow

power lines define
the hidden energy here
ready to rise up

a long-shadowed pup
feels tall in the morning light
ready for the day

only two days late
the snow has taken over
(Lord, save us from drought)

no real snow day
just a cat and a puzzle 
dreaming of travel

cats and flowers rise
as soon as the sun is bright
to welcome rare rain

please, rain, end this drought 
this plague of world crises
waiting at the door

these pink winter lines
like angel’s wings each morning 
welcoming the day

no snow day for us
just the struggle through this path
that is this school year

my overwhelmed dog
forcing his love upon me
when i try to leave

an exhausting day
with my spirit-week “jersey”
and this fake smile

hidden by these masks
that have broken our world
like a rootless orchid

but this cat. this cat.
a soft purrfection presence 
worth a real grin.

our symbolic cat
sitting by his empty plate
waiting for his love