Peering through the window

Peering through the window.

Awaiting the coveted monsoon. 

Long days of scorching heat.

Storm clouds roll in and roll out.

Or leave only sprinkles.

Droplets sizzle on the hot dry earth.

Teasing desert plants that wilt in the relentless sun.

Thunder in the distance.

Rain in the foothills again. 

A micro-burst takes out a neighborhood tree.

Finally, the pitter patter of rain drops on our roof.

We rush out to watch it sink into our basins.

And refill our tanks.

Is this the promised monsoon?

Where are the daily downpours of years past?

Struggling with the relentless heat. 

I seek comfort in my little veggie garden.

Palo Verde branches can't shield the plants.  

Chard lays limp on the ground waiting for water. 

Leaves yellow, tomatoes melt. 

The path burns my bare feet.

Sad feet longing to sink into moist soil.

 Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

I rush back to relieve them on the cool kitchen tiles.

Chilling in my casa.

Peering through the window.

At the desert habitat we lovingly crafted, plant by plant.

Starlings, sparrows, finches, thrashers, doves, woodpeckers

Peck for seeds in the mulch.

Vie for a spot in our bird baths.

A mockingbird torments a red-tailed hawk. 

Until it takes off on majestic wings.  

We gladly share this food forest with feathered friends.

But thrashers break into our veggie garden.

Hop and peck and knock off basil leaves

Poke holes in tomatoes meant for us.

A small price to share our yard with endangered fowl.

Then greedy harvester ants strip every edible leaf from a cherished moringa tree.

This is the season of edible purslane and sprawling, spiky goat heads.

In our rain basin transplanted purslane thrives beneath hand-watered pollinators.

Nourished with captured rain. 

Birds and ants snatch the leaves - the tastiest part for us too. 

But hope reigns in the rain.

Leaves grow back, flowers bloom, seeds spread.

Attracting the long awaited and longed for quails. 

One settles in a puddle under a newly watered weed.

Wonder of wonders. 

 I watch from my window and smile.

A joyful sign of hope in the desert.

More Information: 

Our Yard the Bird Feeder