BACK PORCH DAWN

Stars have faded in the eastern sky
as the horizon bleaches black to gray
Carolina bids the night goodbye
and prepares for yet another day

A barred owl silently glides past
to his daytime secret sylvan home
June sunrise is coming fast
acrobatic squirrels start to roam

Mist streamers lift from the still pond
like last night's departing ghost
where cat tails wave like a magic wand
crane touches down silent, almost

Neighbor's cat stalks an old mocking bird
I smile, he hasn't got a chance
his pounce and miss leaves him perturbed
doves start to coo from pine tree branch

I smell coffee brew and eggs fry
just as a rabbit hops into the clover
a car door slams, I turn and sigh
the magic peace of dawn is over