my birthday suit

the giant bush in front of my kitchen
window
has finally died.

a long hot summer did it in.

the condo board came and chopped
it down to the roots.

the bird feeder is on the porch,
dry and empty.

it was a grand bush, whatever it was.
full of bees.
blossoming,
bright and green, yellow,
taller than me.

half the width of the house.

it gave shadow, gave protection
for fifteen years.
kept the neighbors from looking
in and seeing me
making coffee

in my birthday suit.