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
wow great stuff