Dark with Occasional Bird

That’s looking from the inside. Outside

clouds silver with moonlight, a heron

launched by surprise, one or a pair of doves.

Fourth of July means a day set aside

from highway drone & booms from raising

& setting down containers — commercial goods

scarcely needed yet thought to be desired —
in favor of a race, a parade, loud music, roving
lights when otherwise the day would fade

quietly into the next. Then explosions

lasting for half the night. Not only rails,

even the largest birds head for cover

of tall grass, thick dark before the moon

in the small hours once more rises.