the redbud is shedding petals
over the poppy bed like an excited flower girl,
bright fuchsia buds caught on soft fuzzy leaves.
All articles filed in spring
shining
the forsythia has been slow to bloom this spring,
green leaves creeping up its tangled branches
and unfurling with no sign of flowers at all.
dwindling to dust
the butter-yellow tulip
has now faded to cream,
streaks of rose gracing
the pale petals as they
bend back toward the earth.
the first tulip bloomed today,
golden as butter,
and i wished i could show you
its delicately frilled petals
i wish you could show me the spring
i wish you could show me the spring —
wildflowers waking up on the creek bank,
catkins greening at the slender ends of oak branches
purslane
in spring the purslane
pops up underfoot
the sleepy daffodils
around the redbud tree
the sleepy daffodils
are beginning to wake up
and poke fragile arms
out toward the sky
new wonders
that winter was one of walking
of stalking the sunset’s glow
to the western road and then
watching the fire fade from the treetops
before shrugging home in the dusk
sunday afternoon
the sultry summer air hangs low and close
while the cottonwood down lazes toward the grass
the bees are at the milkweed
buzzing into the pale purple blooms
with an industry that makes me sweat just to watch them
dressed for spring
midway up the hill
the neighbor’s weeping fig
is dressed for spring
a gown of bridal white blossoms
shielding leafless branches.