Venice, California, August '03 Richard Beban Big bumblebee circles the crimson bougainvillea, huge enough to see him half a block away. Light turquoise sky brushed by Hokusai with cirrus shaved ice. Dylan finger picking "Buckets of Rain" on the stereo, I like the way you love me strong & slow. Night-blooming jasmine unaware it's noon. Handful of sparrows chase a sharp-shinned hawk away from their nests in the sweet gum tree. Ocean breeze eases summer heat, polite skin whispers its thanks. If we're granted only one time around, let's call this heaven, & that erratic ivory cabbage moth an ecstatic angel