What it means to miss Middlesex

Awake

light streams cloudy through the window early

but not too

Wife already up at work

Mother in law up even earlier

for a day too long

at work

and joy

The hardwood cool on my feet

the floor smooth from stair ledge

to bottom step

Close door opens into a room awash in morning light

First thoughts are of coffee

the pot shimmers from the light

shining in from the back window

Chip chip

chip chip chip

The high strained call

—beckon?

—warning?

of the Chipmunk staring at me on the cement wall

Morning Doves coo

the Jay shrieks

The Nuthatch upside down

and Mr. Tufted Titmouse with his pointy coiffure

all jitter and bounce from feeder

to ground

to feeder in their morning dance.