Guard

Photo of a golden retriever sat in a room, looking at the camera, half of his body hidden behind the slightly-ajar door.

Guardian angel
dog sat by his human’s door,
eyes on the target.

Ignored

Close up photo of a big, flat mushroom tipped on its side.

Kicked onto the side,
stomped on by immature kids—
the homeless; fungi.

Gardening

Close up photo of a small cauliflower on the making.

Great expectations:
flowering bulb emerges;
no moths around—yet.

Watch out

Close up photo of a black cat looking sideways at the camera.

Infamous side eye:
mother’s warning to her child;
black cat’s to human.

Survival

Close up photo of some mushrooms on the foot of a pine tree, with pine straw scattered over them.

Forests or alleys,
though buried under rubble,
life will find a way.