For Every Word You Speak, A Flower

 

for Julia Rios

 

sister, when you

speak

it is spring

 

lilacs sunning at the

gate

drone-drowsy

bumblebee, tender

trellising of

green

 

listen! there are

violets

in your voice, my darling

mossy nooks and

depths of grape

hyacinth

 

a grin of maneless

dandelions

gathers yellow

at your throat

you declaim in garlands

shyly

 

say on, O

sweetheart

of this kindly

season

 

convoke dew-

struck meadows of

radical

wildflowers