before i moved to maryland

[bertha katzenengel]

i'd never heard a whippoorwill
never seen a robin or a cardinal
never heard a woodpecker peck or call
nor heard peepers - nor known the
difference between a toad and a frog
(toads don't have waists)

i hear a whippoorwill now
and a cat eating dry food
and my beloved's tv show
i'm home in maryland
and far from home in california

for now i am just lost in these sounds
and i just keep swimming

whippoorwill sings
joy returns
joy returns
joy returns
joy returns