Yard Work

Will birds will go homeless
and hungry if our garden
doesn't grow? Will ants move
into our walls? We answer
with boxes for nesting,
with knowing which berries
and seeds birds like to eat.

*

On Deciding to Quit Teaching

With chamomile tea, will I begin
to feel calm again? October already

which reminds me all I want
is scratch paper for a grocery list--

in other words, another poem
about a six-pack of pumpkin ale

and cake doughnuts with a sugar glaze.