Reverence

Red breasted house finches punctuate

the dark stained pavement

only a few steps beyond

my back porch,

bowing copper dusted heads

to the emerald grasses

and the swollen fruit fallen

from the rain heavy branches

of the grapefruit tree.

The last breath of storm clouds

sighs away to the foothills

to the north

and pale sunlight filters from the south,

illuminating feathered ferns

like a monk illuminates a holy page of Scripture

bending over every delicate leaf

with patient care

and reverence.

And every chilly wind that whispers through

the halo of gently rustling trees

could be a hallowed prayer of hallelujah

and amen.