Mood: Quiet
Drinking: Done
Equinox: Vernal
Today a robin
at the edge of the lawn
with stick figure legs
and telltale red breast.
So cockeyed and careful
while trilling the cheerily carol.
The world seems determined
to get back on track
to go on
without him.
The seasons arrive
on schedule.
Hence the bird
with attendant worm
and sudden violet,
all the usual signs of spring
that weren’t there
just yesterday.
Soon the grass
will need cutting.
The earth will
want seeds.
And she can’t move
like she used to.
There was no snow
the day he didn’t wake up.
But
there were no robins
either. Now the ache
wakes with the sun.
And any minute
she expects him to
walk in the door.
But the long days
bring only birds.
(For Ruth. And Vernon.)
-Lo, who wishes he’d walk in the door, too, if that would make her happy.
LaDonnaWitmer 