Quite a wind, Dad!
I thought she was talking about me
until I looked out the window and saw the trees moving.
Loud too, sirens, winds eighty miles an hour
across Altadena, fire danger!
I didn’t hear it
even though I was already awake
or half awake.
I know she hears things
I don’t.
Like the famous parrots
that wake her every morning
the Altadena parrots
we’re sure are related
to the Parrots of Telegraph Hill
But she’s on the other side of the house
and upstairs
and younger
Here’s coffee
she says
giving the cup
to my both hands
It’s good and hot and strong
Like me I say
And it’s only the start
of another day