08/03/22 Azle, Texas Two Trees before Sunrise
Drought
we’ve had
days and days of heat
and no rain,
sunrises both beautiful
in color and clarity
and dreadful
in early intensity.
we talk with the neighbors
over our fences -
of rain forecasts
and rising temperatures
and whether their air is working.
when we see birds gather
we might add a little ice to their bath,
or pour too much water on the aloe plant
where a fat toad burrows
in the hot afternoon.
we might sigh, as deer
chew the rosebushes,
resigned to the destruction
of a few plants
as we go back inside
feeling fragile
and
connected
August 1, 2022-August 8, 2022 I arrived in Texas at a particularly hot and dry time. Every morning it is necessary to get outside early here, if you want to get out at all. The temperatures are in the low 80s before sunrise; but it really feels cooler then, while there’s a breeze blowing and a little cloud cover. All of the animals are adapting to the drought and heat. At my mother’s house, a fat toad I nicknamed Tobias, spends his days buried in her aloe plant, and his evenings out looking for food. Mom waters the aloe more than it strictly needs, just to make sure he can stay cool.
August 4, 2022 Azle - Looking through the fence before sunrise
August 5, 2022 Azle Texas Spectacular Sunrise
August 6, 2022 South Side Fort Worth - Passion Flower and a happy bee
August 5 - 7, 2022 Walking around the south side of Fort Worth in the early mornings, the whole neighborhood is already awake. People are walking their dogs, watering their thirsty gardens, or just sitting on their covered porches drinking coffee and talking to the neighbors while the temperatures are still fairly pleasant in the low 80s. In a way, I find the prematurely dried flowers at least as beautiful as the ones that are getting enough water. There is something about the faded color and curling crisp edges …