Broken Peace

it is a quiet afternoon the mind unspooling into lethargy post prandial serenity lapping at peaceful shores now easing my way into the garden dead-head roses prune the over eager feeling well in a loosely-strung way my dog threads my legs playfully perhaps wanting to make me tip off balance but I am centered the minor antics of the too energetic only a buzzing distraction but now the hound is barking and chasing a squirrel kicking up flustered clusters of sparrows doors slam and neighbors yell there’s a ballyhoo in the backyard I turn to exit the scene not even trying to stay damn well calm