We built a porch on the side of the house
you get there through
the dining room patio doors
the gaping hole in the screen
the one the squirrel chewed
is stuffed with a plastic grocery bag
to keep the mosquitoes out
two chairs and a loveseat
over 40 years ago bought at the
neighbor lady’s yard sale across the street
he sits on the south chair
I sit on the loveseat
we both enjoy the perfect breeze
and sip something cold and wet
while I read aloud a summer beach novel
he makes sound effects to amuse me
a wicker coffee table
where our propped legs rest
holds a glass chess set
for when my voice is hoarse
roll-down shades on the east side
to thwart the morning sun
portable speaker
laurence juber softly playing beatles
the heavenly fragrance
of downy fabric softener
wafting up through
the deck board floor
from the dryer vent below
in the front
men working on new gas lines
in the back
little girls playing hopscotch
birds everywhere
tweeting love
there’s no more perfect spot
in the universe
this afternoon I sit here
to write this poem for you
this is my heaven
and I am barefoot
