years of desire

in the dark of your mouth

where the words come

up to tell me

Hold very still

Show me

how good you can be

sap rising

-->

cottonwood comes slowly

to green

first the buds

swell beaded with golden

healing resin

then catkins

bursting tassles of femme

birthdays

laughter

and parades of gay

then the leaves

bright lime unfolding

lace fans of vitality into a waxy deep green

that reflects sun on shimmering rivers

then the hearts rustle the hustle of being alive

a money tree shakes with stars

the balm

is in the foggy river valley

the budding cottonwoods 

teeming with bird song

the train rolling through