The azaleas are in riotous bloom

a profusion of pinks and reds

their wind-driven petals scattered

across the walkway

to our front door

a floral carpet no one will cross

Out back the roses are showing off

their first shy buds opening

yellow and peach and red

oblivious to the fact

that there will be

no garden party here this spring

Meanwhile, two neighborhood cats

are perched upon the fence

facing each other

tails swishing slowly

shaking loose the wisteria blossoms

onto the playground behind our house

the stage is set for a catfight

that the schoolchildren will not hear

Between the press conferences

and the daily news

silently we wait

while the rain falls

the flowers bloom

and the people hide inside