Cove Cottage

A Work in Progress
135 

there’s a path along whose edge bees work

hot lips salvia, in front of a small fountain

frequented by small birds with tails that fork

hummingbirds sip from its flowing water

falling from the spout of a woman’s pitcher 

that feeds the fountain’s bowl

 

she does not stir while montbretias arch

fire lilies in front of an acanthus palisade

floral spears in a ragged line that march

white wispy flowers under nun-like purple hoods

cave-like spaces too narrow for penetration

but bees push their way in

 

she’s a statue lending a woman’s touch

to this garden a living woman loves so much

 

 

 

Dick Russell © Richard M Russell

                  2026

 

Whatever the Moment

A Work in Progress
134

Some trees were trimmed

now there’s more light

north light 

while sunset smolders over my shoulder

shadows of starlight acting as nightlight

for mountain lions about to marauder

out there

in the physical world of flesh and blood

up in the foothills further from roads

fully in leaf now the solstice has come

it’s dark

devoured each day by the voracious sun

who knew that once together we’d never feel cold

that once together we’d be very snug

we’re here

whatever the moment our eyes always hug

Dick Russell © Richard M Russell

                        2026

So

A Work in Progress
133 

“So”

“No one got stabbed” 

Caesar taunted 

Berating the Senators

Catullus said

Keeping in touch from his hideout

Glenn Hughes continued

Remarking that since his time

Computer science faculty

All began starting their sentences with 

So

So, they had a lot to explain as

Jumping on the AI train

They found it had left the station

Taking them to an unknown destination

So, they said, he said

Some have not returned

Tempting fate

Fate won

Dick Russell © Richard M Russell

                        2026