earth urges growth, renewal, life after death
and sweet rain and warmth tempt new buds,
who emerge, remain, and bloom to nourish the insects and spiders
and mammals
even us, who devour not only their beauty but at times their entirety.

somehow they survived the late and sudden frosts,
ravenous four-footed, hoofed herbivores, lawnmowers,
our carelessnesses
to yet shed their seeds before they rest.

we know this story, life-death-life again: the alpha and the omega
and yet, Mother Earth,
we wonder at your generosity and selflessness
and thank you.

May, 2020
edited 6/27/2020