June’s tunic is knitted
with parulas’ rising trills  

hummingbirds’ emeralds and rubies
sequin phoebes’ nest-brown song  

currants purl their tangy accent
against plump black raspberry cables  

Stiches would unravel
without bracts of Deptford pinks  

flirting blades of blue-eyed grass
rinsed in first whiff of sweet clover  

Work bound off by busy cricket song
leaves seams for fireflies’ darting needles  

Late June collar of white-gold sunrise
and hem of latest twilight  

finish tunic before its folding
into next year’s half-full hope chest