It's AUGUST and that means POETRY!

If you've followed my blog for any stretch of time, you know that in August, I participate in a postcard poetry festival, where you sign up and get a list of 31 poets and their addresses and commit to writing and sending one original poem each day.

I started a wee bit early, trying to stay ahead, as we'll be doing some traveling this month. The first batch of postcards have already gone out.

Here are some of this year's offerings.

"Sipping Away" Photo by Renato Pequito, used with attribution, CC license.

After thirty years he still leaves me coffee in the pot, the last piece of pie, hungry for our next kiss.

"Squirrel Under Bird Feeder" photo by Jimmy Smith, used with attribution, CC license

Birds attack the feeder. A frenzy of wings for a beakfull of seed. An inefficient exchange. The squirrel sits beneath, bushy-tailed Buddha, waiting.

Netted Blueberry Bush, photo by Jeanne-Erin, used with attribution, CC license

Yesterday, I netted the bushes. Today, the birds fix me with their beady eyes planning their next move. Seasonal warfare neither of us can win. In the end frost claims the garden as his prize, the tart crush of blueberries on my tongue a temporary victory.

Origami Crow, photo by Ben Watkin, used with attribution, CC license

When the Crow lands on the feeder chickadees and nuthatches scatter in a panic of wings. Possession is a worthless prize, his weight slams the feeder door shut and all his frantic scrabbling cannot nourish him.