Reservoir

Despite the cooler temperatures this summer, and the abundance 

of rain we received this spring, the area rivers and streams 

are lower than I remember seeing them for many years. 

Ducks and geese are standing on islands where before they 

would have been paddling. The recent showershave not been 

sufficient to restore the moisture to the parched lands. 

Hosta that have been in the sun are now baked and sere, their

leaves and stalks are pale gold on the ground.

Those in more shaded areas have taken every drop their

leaves could catch, dropped them into creased leaves

on their way to nourish the roots below.

Sometimes, a tiny reservoir had been created, leaving

a sip of water for a bird, or even a passing ant.