poems by owen lucas

Summer day, dappled shade on dog-
eared clover, above the chalk grit
of opulent driveway a hiss, leaves
catch the sun — cabbage white wings
fizzing, or silver tambourine-rim
bells shim — as wind shakes heart-
shaped faces wildly on twig ends.
Lawns iguana-green stretch out
velvet, some-wheres rubbed wrong
to stand out emerald veined
stalks, tougher vibrant grasses'
slick flourescent oils spilt.
Starlings chat brash bush-
nonsenses between worn branches,
cheap chimes tinkle nothing
hanging from sagged porches.