Diana Star Helmer

The sunshine is a longed-for friend
but when we go to walk
I often dodge her tendency
for lively, heated talk.

I want to listen to a bird
I´ve never heard before
without the sun´s well-meaning hand
too heavy on my brow.

I pause to take the hands
blackberry stands reach out to share
with me alone, the chosen one,
in this sweet morning air.

Sun kindly, meekly, follows me
awhile. But soon, I know,
her natural exuberance
will, absent-minded, show.