Resilience

 

The April freeze was not unexpected.
The ancient apple tree's white cloud
darkened to tan
by morning.

Yet her life blood flowed
and her limbs were strong
and in the alchemy
of her intention
new buds formed
and opened one by one.

The bees
returned.

The Magnolias Bloomed

 

The Magnolias Bloomed

bravely
again this year.
Heedless
of the forecast freeze
they threw themselves
into billowing 
beauty,
pink clouds that would
brown
by morning.

Purple finches
perch 
in place
of petals
and glossy 
greening new
leaves
bedeck 
bare branches.

Next year
they
will try
again.