Facing due east, Conch shells line the porch rails br As if they were amulets guarding my soul br br From the magical charms of English Mount br Her hills quiet for the present, green and still br br Multi-hued a rainbow sparkles left br A river of milk-y clouds fill hollows br br Grapevine, Shropshire, Muddy, Indian Creek-all br A tiny iridescent bluebird flits br br To the taller cedar beyond their watch br My eye lures to its pensive inspection br br A cardinal darts from one of the br Heart -shaped leaves of the pod-ing red bud br br To the right of their line of guard grey br Doves doze a few feet from a well hidden br br Nest, a hawk casts an angled eerie br Mammoth shadow setting off a chorus br br Of crow and songbird protest as if they were br Yard-dogs warden –ing for a beloved br br Child as the darkening cedars forewarn br Tiny bush pilots to sing it away br br (May 28,2009)br br Debora Shortbr br