Finally the chickens raise
operatic squawks
in a cacophonous opening act
waking the audience to believe
in change
Mud in the yard
dries, a little chaos
of sculpted waves and troughs
setting for the season
A dizzying rise
of hyacinth perfume;
frostbitten pansies
green out
Are these enough?
I can remember joy
was long ago
in the middle of a wood;
my breathing expanded
almost to laughter as I watched
an extravagance of evergreens
drawing themselves into the sky
and a flicker’s mad yells
became music
A lifetime resident of Western Washington on traditional Coast Salish land, Sherry Mossafer Rind is the author of six collections of poetry. She has received grants and awards from Anhinga Press, the Seattle and King County Arts Commissions, National Endowment for the Arts, and Artist Trust. Her most recent book is The Store-House of Wonder and Astonishment, winner of an Eyelands International award, published by Pleasure Boat Studio, 2022.
Banner image courtesy Sherry Mossafer Rind.
