In spite of me

 In spite of me 

The high heat stuns and stultifies 

reducing a walk to a creep 

slowing all thought, making muzzy

and sweet relief the blue and silver 

dancing water, swimming pool. 

With froggy strokes, ungainly

I count the slow lengths up and back 

breathe in the heady jasmine scent 

and watch the busy birds who dart among the secret fig tree 

leaves and branches- a nest perhaps or just some blessed shade 

respite fast grown from a stone 

(in barren ground, small earth) 

another bird once dropped 

now swiftly higher than my head. 

In spite of me and careless of my sun-slowed thoughts 

the birds return, the planet turns 

a seed is dropped and thrives 

so many interwoven lives 

circle and twine 

as the high heat stuns and stultifies. 

July 2nd 2025 Hounoux