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![IMG_2219.jpeg](https://images.hive.blog/DQmcHqUeks1Ufwssd7tCijmfN1Kw68FUzYb1tgNWdj8SM1Z/IMG_2219.jpeg)
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The win this week goes to my eldest for writing a letter to his mom on Mother’s Day and wishing her a happy birthday instead of a Happy Mother’s Day. 

Oops. 

At least he perfected the surprise factor, sitting on the couch all nonchalant, ignoring my wife and acting like he hadn’t prepared anything at all for the special day while knowing that sooner or later she would open his lunchbox (where his letter was hidden) and put food in it for him to eat while at a full day of soccer scrimmages. 

You win some. You lose some. 

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![IMG_2221.jpeg](https://images.hive.blog/DQmPJMJsKHnorwtPhpswZdNKYUuE7FFHBfrux2rsnuMkMNY/IMG_2221.jpeg)
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<center>**(1)**</center>
 
<center>here and there 
the paddies fill with water
a patchwork countryside</center>

<center>**(2)**</center>
 
<center>solar panels
on a cloudy day
we are one</center>

<center>**(3)**</center>
 
<center>in the fading light
the kids outside return home
quiet settles in</center>

<center>**(4)**</center>
 
<center>reflections of
trees in the water
a freer time</center>

<center>**(5)**</center>
 
<center>evening bike ride
by the riverside I pick
no-see-ums from my teeth</center>

<center>**(6)**</center>
 
<center>there again
in the corner of my eye
the man who’s never there</center>

<center>**(7)**</center>
 
<center>in the pouring rain
kids sword fight on the corner
their umbrellas closed</center>

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![IMG_2220.jpeg](https://images.hive.blog/DQmShe9vzA2JzF6mbYyFiTLTuBhzj5zVFkvDkUpRLarfTwA/IMG_2220.jpeg)
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<center>**As always, thank you for reading.**</center>
<center>*All poems and images are original. If you have any comments, feedback, or suggestions, please feel free to share them.*</center>