Highway 99E from Chico

The mallard ducks are down

for the night. They chuckle

in their sleep and dream of Mexico

and Honduras. Watercress

nods in the irrigation ditch

and the tules slump forward, heavy

with blackbirds

Rice fields float under the moon.

Even the maple leaves cling

to my windshield. I tell you Maryann,

I am happy.