blossom

the ornamental garden heavy with blooms
perfume strong enough to hold
a presence in the easterly
bumble bees’ wings silent
they drink from deep cherry wells
nubs of pollen caught on their thighs
petals brighten, whiten in sunlight
flashing through the broken cloud
you crane your neck nestle your nose
in a garland of petals
fresh enough to hold firm
to buds from whence they sprouted

we walked on heady from it all
blossom, scent, the busy bees
sun warming our skin
before we embarked on an alcohol-free pub crawl
through the firmament from Ursa Major to The Golden Star
our senses scrabbled with the lights of spring
equinox behind us now
one more summer coming in
the clock change next weekend
an hour lost that we won’t mourn

~

CLP 24/03/2024