After Bai Juyi

Beyond the fence
that hides
our neighbor's yard

The sound of children
splashing in the
family pool

Their laughter
music to
an old man's ears

Comes back on this
gray afternoon
to warm my soul

In my mind's eye
I see our cat
stretched in the sun

Pretending he's
asleep while waiting
for a jay

To land at the
birdfeeder on
our upper deck

He may not catch
the bird but it's
well worth the try