Prayer in August

Petite hummer, may you stay

out of harm’s way. May you

soar like a winged wish

over the Gulf of Mexico

on your thousand-mile flight.

And in all your goings,

may you remember to return,

a ruby-throated flash,

shimmering wings a blur,

to hover amid purple salvia blossoms

outside our bedroom window

and bless my love who lies dreaming,

unaware of your suspended glory

showing off in the morning sunlight.

May you swoop back soon,

iridescent as abalone,

to grant me the secret of joy.

Pat McCutcheon, McKinleyville