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
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from the chapbook The Book of Answers, Finishing Line Press (2006)