Happy Birthday here’s a primrose
Yellow raindrops in the grey light
Mother’s daughter scrubbing the clothes
Skin cracked all winter, no sleep at night

despite cloud changing light
from cell to cell, divide and multiply
plus me, plus him
numbers appear in her fingerprints

So deep in sleep, pink and turned
to the side    peaceful mouth
Say what you saw: salt   honey   sheep
Once upon a time,
the well was pumped to feed the garden
tomatoes   pole beans   carrots
There was a poem down there
at the bottom   which never dries
unless you ask it too
Tonight you have the well of sleep
thirsting through your body, gentle lamb
little lamp     moon beam
Once upon some day
lovingly rearrange the thoughts
that make you b l u e
Deep down     the sound of your own voice
will equal j o y
that belongs    to you
Share what lives at the bottom
and you will never be empty
you’ll find what you need

A much better surprise has come from this wind.
Though, no one slept well (my husband took to the couch like a nest).
I dressed the child in purple and called my job finished.
At least she didn’t weep. She was mysteriously alert.
I met an oboe player today and she described a hopeful new place
where flora and fauna return, along with cherry pie.
We played show and tell with new music. Her about her breakup,
me about the happy apple.

(((INfiiiniiiTY))