In the morning, he sits on the balcony
overlooking the pond and waterfall.
He breathes deeply — in 1,2,3,4
hold and count fast 1,2,3,4 — out
1,2,3,4 and on and on. The oxygen
goes in and the CO2 comes out.
Meanwhile, over the railing and
around the pond, the birch, arbor-
vitae, hemlocks, Norway spruces,
white pines, red pines, chokecherries
maples breathe in CO2 and breathe
out oxygen. The melody, the harmony,
the rhythm, the beat. What a great
way to make beautiful music. And
the backyard choir sings silently.