The Carolina wrens trill their distress,
a red alarm, blaring alert of danger,
again and again until my awareness
is drug out onto the porch –

The cat bathes lazy and obtuse in the sun
under the nest while momma hops
and screams. I go out, to bring the cat
in the house, again.

Everywhere, a threat. Everywhere folks
just trying to keep their babies
alive. Everywhere, people’s attention swinging.
Everywhere, citizens getting up to help.