A Letter from Virgil
suddenly spring is over summer has begun
passing clouds don’t drop rain streams from the hill don’t run
when conversation stops there's thoughts of long hoses
for blueberries raspberries sugar snaps cardoons
there’s a good growing moon iris scents and large roses
columbines have come on now hyacinths are gone
this year good peonies after much needed rain
battered early blossoms there’s fresh cut bamboo still green
long stalks for fast climbing pea vines vibrant purple
climbing tripods of tall slender bamboo
silhouetted against red sky above darkness
like Indian tepee poles once on the prairie
soon acanthus spears will unfurl crowns of flowers
on orchard trees those fruits that set will soon be culled
by crows taking cherries by farmers thinning crops
for rhubarb a second picking sorrel has bolted
fresh lettuce is on the way and beans will soon be planted
is this time of year timely for a short visit?
copyright © Dick Russell
2018
