Three Levels

Clouds drift at the whim of the turning earth
while over, through, and around the crystals
an airplane drones on its appointed route.
In southern California.
Gulls soar in the sky
crows flap close by
sparrows zoom past my eye
In southern California
An ambulance wails its siren
making haste to emergency
and save someone from pain
In southern California.
A big dog howls its sympathy
and not to be outdone
every dog adds its voice
In southern California.
I squint at my laptop screen
think, wonder, contemplating
about what else might be seen
In southern California.
The temperature could rise a bit
bring all absorbing sun rays
but not through coming clouds
In southern California.
The gas barbecue is heating
hamburgers we’ll be eating
starvation now defeating
In southern California.
What pleasures on this patio
dog, son, and family
will indulge in carnal tissue
In southern California.
Naomi Sherer