City Dweller

An early start's no guarantee these days
and though the sun's still down when I get up
to poke around the pots or wash a cup
may be the due reward that morning pays

And that's all right! Disinterested I muse
when household choring or while watching birds
that on the terrace feed on more than words
With nothing in my hand I'll never lose

At noon the sun is brilliant on the leaves
of downtown trees that serve their squirrels well
I hear the mellow sound of a tapped bell
Content in hearing what my ear receives