Bluebird Birthday

a birthday ski day
followed by badminton, cake
and these perfect blooms

And Kahlo in the Background

my sunflower girl,
her modernist self-portrait 
so true to her soul

when April snow comes,
she draws perfect silhouettes 
before spreading soil

my girl’s accepted
into her dream universe 
filled with stardust, hope

best friends since kinder
ready to graduate now
(how could they grow up?)

her last big event
for her high school gymnastics 
in a pandemic

no medals for her.
just bravery: a new sport
and some kind teammates

ski season is done.
we’ll have to make do with yards
full of happiness.

our ski season ends
with bluebird jumps and peak views
(and a pinch of angst)

a few last baskets
waiting for that hidden spring
only found in youth

dyeing our spring eggs
(her childhood reaches fall)
empty nest beckons