The Smile Returns

first day of first job
(the best COVID milestone)
let us shed this slump

Flood Money

water brings flowers
years after they were dug out
not a nightmare, right?

blooming badminton
(a few moments of teen peace
before bickering)

this side of the glass
has me trapped like a sad pup
just begging entry

the blooms of today
will disappear tomorrow
and it hurts. it hurts.

all i want today
is to watch the sunlight shift
on these reborn blooms

the blue-sky morning
can't capture a year of loss
(oh Lord, that sweet scent)

yet afternoon light
so perfectly shines rosy
(ends this hell-frost year)

you will never know
how perfectly blossoms bloom
after a cold spring

the tulips have bloomed
as bright as a sunny day 
ending spring’s late start

at last, spring has sprung

which means it’s creek-dipping time

for my fluffy pup

a new moon rising
bringing blossoms to springtime
blooms: the cat's meow