Lilies

All hope in my heart lies in good weather,
the promise of tomorrow: the slow river
rushing to the edge, unlocking leaves,
frogs singing in approval for a better life.
Downstream, fish dart with delight.

Farmers clean rust from long-stored tools
but lament about the cankerworm and
locust getting ready to destroy their crops—
they’ll wish the wretched winter hadn’t gone.

Yet, my heart rejoices when my lover comes
with fresh seeds; together we welcome all
blessings of spring, especially its fragrances
perfuming air, lingering, and my love
who kneels to admire the fragile, sweet lily
of the morning.

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Image credit: Jamaican farm [image from “Gary Coulton: revolutionising Jamaica’s export agriculture through R&D”]