the scrub jay squawks

as a raven chuckles

from the highest branch

of an evergreen

the sunshine warms my cheeks

while the drone of honeybees

working along the path leading

downslope to young orange trees

humms in decibels less than

the distant rotorblades of a

watchful ranger patrolling

the hillsides for fire dangers

the air is still moist from an

overnight off shore fog

now retreating quickly evaporating

before my eyes

over my shoulder a jade plant

absorbs the light

and i too sit allowing

its early morning gentle caress

just like a succulent