Natural Sequence

First there was a man on a couch
so into the Giants that when the Braves beat them
he switched the channel
to local weather, where the weatherman’s voice
thrilled with factitious enthusiasm
because of on-the-spot pictures
sent via cell phones from local observers
featuring storm clouds culminating above Lake Tahoe that

second: the man heard the wind in the high oaks
until he went outside and stood on the deck
where a shadow swiftly rippled across the meadow
like the shadow of a hawk but was that of a leaf
loosened by a sierra breeze and released
it being mid-august in the foothills

third: the scalloped leaf quietly joined its shadow
settling on thorny points like a green crab
on the path where it lay until night
fourth: a fox on velvet feet
its mind full of scent, alert for danger
came on the leaf, perfectly centered in the path,
upon which he uncoiled his little gift
skillfully avoiding going over the edges
so that it seemed deliberately
presented as if on a plate or, if you will,
in the palm of God’s hand

fifth: sending a thrill through the heart of the man’s wife,
“Look at this!” she declared,
sharing the gift with him
allowing them to marvel in mutuality
at the fox turd proffered on the leaf.