Hi friends, today's episode is hosted by the inimitable poet Shira Erlichman.

Hang tight and I'll be back on August 28th.

I'm Shira Erlichman and this is the slowdown.

I've recently fallen in love. She is 55 feet tall and her body is a hive of leaves

where little birds zip and hide.

She's a tree.

Whenever I round the particular corner toward her emerald and chirping body,

I can't help but give Esperanza a little wave.

I didn't realize I'd named her until one day while walking our dog.

I mentioned to Angel, oh look, Esperanza.

Her head up in the sky, she is way too cool to notice me.

I admit, when passing her staggering height and chattering trunk,

her ivy coat permeating that endless confidence, I get giddy like I've spotted a celebrity.

Then there's Bernadette, another celebrity of my block.

The little doxin terrier mix belongs to an older gentleman who dons coke bottle glasses.

When I see her golden brown body wiggling down the block,

I actually shout like paparazzi.

Bernadette, Bernadette over here.

Her kind owner is used to this by now.

Bernadette throws me the look of a seasoned starlet on the red carpet,

then flops onto the ground and offers up her belly.

There are more neighborhood stars that catch me swooning.

...