spring plucks crocus up 

by their periwinkle heads,

a pop of hope in fields

of defrosting ground.

fresh oak leaves unfurl, 

lending sturdy shade to baby

bunnies burrowing below.

the air swirls with new life,

filling the lungs of people

who need it most & who 

don’t care how it smells.

i care now.

.

summer quickly pulls back

the soft curtain, 

rushing to be big & loud. 

the oak leaves harden,

speckled with the season’s 

temperaments.

babies leave their nests, 

unfiltered sun bakes the grass brown.

i still care.

.

life is

spring birth, 

summer bright.

i’m summer now,

i feel a turning in my body,

my skin barks at this taught peak.

my disdain for fall must be

rooted here. 

.

a inescapable change 

that withers its world. 

my body will wither. 

i see others already sinking 

back into themselves,

from finger wrinkles to shiny grays.

how do you enjoy this? 

.

at least in winter there is a peace 

knowing it’ll be over soon, 

a beauty in the stillness.

snow mounds glimmering 

under a pale moon,

a soft howling between

barren branches,

a humming quiet. 

i hope that’s where i’ll stand

one day. 

.

(9/7/26)