Here in Marcola

On the Lord’s Day

(after church)

apparently

it is the custom to go out

and shoot at things —

we hear the sharp report

across the hills

It must fit in

to the same leisure

of wind chimes

and great trees waving graceful limbs,

it must be part

of insect hum

and the bright chatter

of extended family visits.

We may get used to it at length,

this signature sound

of Sunday afternoons.

©Wendy Mulhern

August 5, 2018