September 01, 2007

IN THE FIELD OF THE POEM,
WHEN WILL THE STAR TULIPS OPEN?

When the evening grosbeak emerges,
bright yellow, from a stand of pines
to fly across an open field
in the third line of the poem,
star tulips will appear
in a wet depression by the path.

Fan-shaped petals will open pink,
revealing an oblong gland
with a fringe of golden hairs.
The grosbeak will chirp loudly,
breaking the poem’s silence,
and you, my love, will take my hand.

—Lucille Lang Day
____
from the chapbook The Book of Answers, Finishing Line Press (2006)

Posted by dwaber at September 1, 2007 02:27 PM