Everything Is More or Less

Everything is more or less
back where it belongs.
The summer drought wrought havoc on
the summer lawns
but they are mostly green again.
The structures that we coded still hold flaws
destined to surprise us,
but for at least the weekend they are plausible.
The river's calm is offering
itself to be reflected
in any passer-by.

This present moment, filled with gratitude,
is to be kept,
a scrap of paper
tucked into a pocket.
We are thankful for the ending of the storms
that bent us sideways
and of the tides that tried
to send us out to sea, and at my side
the ancient dog survives,
pulled forward by his nose
though his legs must lag behind.

September 19 2010