the world stands upon three things.

it was my fault 

that the dog and i

had to shelter under

one of the neighborhood

oaks.

i forgot that here

on the gulf coast

thunderstorms

bloom hot and fast

as wildfire.

but still 

in the trembling grass

robins hop

rose-breasted and wet.

they watch me,

they watch my dog,

then the birds return 

to worrying the earth for worms

because 

even if it’s raining,

even if the rainbow is not visible yet –

you should not forget to eat.