for Michelle Renee
Unmowed grass, unclipped soft touch holly grip
old koi pond filled with weeds but no water,
inner lining of concrete slabs, their strips
etched with tiny flowers, shells. They cater
to your artist’s eye, hope for renewal,
hint how attached fountain with caressing
swans will fill fresh pool, invite withdrawal
of birds to haven (until addressing
Pablo’s silent creep and swift, swiping claws).
But, for now, flowering dogwood towers
over this unkempt paradise, brings pause
as you study white blossoms, vast power
of their transforming to canvas in swirls
of light, surreal dance you’ll call “Mish’s World.”
Roger Armbrust
April 9, 2014
