. . . What had been there
is gone now
and lives in my heart

where, periodically,
it opens up its wings,
tearing me apart.

—Phillis Levin, Excerpt from “End of April”

Open window, I let winter air chill the room, and wind. Did not sleep well. Poem on my mind. Woke up, making changes. By morning, closed the window, the heat was off, the day never really warmed into spring, but everything is cheerful in bloom and a blustery wind. I walked early through woods to meet my friend and her dogs in the wide meadow. And we hugged. Hugged! First time in about 15 months, to hug this friend, though we’re neighbors. We talked and talked, the fiddleheads are popping up. Suzi got tired, we had to turn back. I went to poetry, shared my poem, have work to do. Frank may be flying away soon on his first business trip in over a year. How settled in he has become. He ordered the composted dirt for the garden, bought the wood for garden beds, is taking the lead in the garden this year. Surprise!

P.S. Happy Birthday KJC,

if you were alive today.