A New Day Ghazal

R.H. Booker

June 7, 2026

I was greeted yesterday by the first black-chinned hummingbird and his song,

a hum and a whistle, working his way North, each day further into Spring song. 

The cenizo bloomed fragrant lavender in celebration of forthcoming rain

from Mexico, the agarita joining in with bursts of yellow-scented song.

I watch the dawn ritual from my desk, a daily play put on by creation,

how the night fades away, imperceptibly at first, making way for cardinal song.

Light pours into the house through undraped sills followed by the 

scurry of small footsteps and toddler laughter that is our morning song.

There is always music to be found when carrying this eternal optimism,

to sing when we can, while we can, existence’s song.

R.H. Booker graduated from Texas A&M University and served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. Nowadays, he spends his time outdoors as a wildlife biologist. His poetry and prose are featured in North Dakota Quarterly, Lucky Jefferson, Sky Island Journal, and others.