Bluebellies

A bluebelly lizard

basking on the warm asphalt

of the driveway

scurried under the deck

in front of the house

when he saw me arrive.

I used to catch them

when i was eight or nine

or forty one. I probably

still could. And without

breaking their tails.

It’s enough to see them now,

the first one of spring

on the driveway.

Bluebellies and poppies,

that’s how I mark spring.