The field's carpeted by
silver-leaf nightshade,
rich greens and purples
that are soothing to the eye.
I bend down,
and let my fingers scrape through
the matted grasses
at the base of the flowers.
The earth is dry and hot
and hard like rock.
With wonder, I look again at the beautiful field,
and then at the dust on my fingertips.



north central Austin, Texas, 10 June 2012