Joanna Gilman Hyde

The Tomato-coloured Couch 4:15pm

Every September after Labour Day

Our Pets

recognized the smell of Rockland County

by lifting Their Noses to the humid air

crossing the Tapanzee Bridge

happy to be coming back

to Their Most Familiar Grounds

overgrown with dried leaves

and neglect —

They couldn’t be aware

of Our Mother’s apprehensions

for a house vacated by summer tenants:

She usually said

“The House isn’t too bad”

but complained about the yard

while I adjusted to sleeping

in the dark dense air

of My School Year Room