flowers for J.

bought twelve red roses on Valentine day

two dollars per

at the supermarket because

well

now look at ‘em

unlocked revealing

stratums of rubicund petals

layers of meaning untucked saying

well

and here it is

days later

still facing upwards

unbowed

still fresh              still strong           still summer

fanning out from vase in a transcendent expression of

well

love

minus 28

sharp shadows cross yard

sun bejewels bedazzles

snow past cutting edge

quinzees on the prairie

two moondrop knolls of snow

large and small in back yard

and in acrylic

dug out and ready for you to scuttle into dark opening

take a snack and cocoa and light a candle

out of prairie wind

let body heat radiate right to silent snow walls

that layers between you and vast red sunset sky

and skeleton trees

let this live in your painted moonscape of memories

long after the spring sun melts

these houses of parental love 

black cat

crosses          my          path

every    single    day

silent feet on sinewy legs

ready to leap

negative space with

spring green eyes

I’d take a picture but my phone fails

nothing but black

alive in this presence

or absence

for with snow falling soundless

on white winter world

little inky prowl fills

a              furtive                  need