In Praise of Back…

In Praise of Back Porches

the children are sleeping
in the early morning

the thunderstorms have passed
sticky humidity of the past few days
giving way to clear, crisp air
like wine

it makes you dizzy
to think that all this wealth
of air and sun and grass and trees
is yours
for the opening of a kitchen door

stepping out to a chalk-strewn wood deck
cushioned chairs, cafe table, a mug of tea
your favorite tree arching overhead
lending gentle dappled shade

in the city
you had a iron balcony
long and thin
and a roof deck
two flights up
and they were blessings
in the city
like water in the desert

but here on your back porch
the water is transmuted
into abundant wine