Two More Octets

22nd ave octet

(2/14/17)

mauve crocuses rising like the lawn’s desire,

delicate, sure, but headstrong, insistent in

front of a balconied stucco house; next door,

seven pink lawn flamingos variously

faded from sun, but not today’s sun, circle

sleeping tulips—of course they’ll wake up, & I

might see that too; elsewhere, an empty window

box once painted barn red, now peeled to raw wood

◦           ◦            ◦

mississippi ave octet

(2/14/17)

where the Chinese evergreen oak lets down its

green hair, so generous, the filaments burn,

amber triangles in teardrop bulbs dangling

between posts; of course the Japanese maple’s

waking up back of the slat fence; down the street,

two Mylar heart balloons float on white ribbons

near locked bicycles; after walking six miles

it seems safe to say desire is infinite

Jack Hayes

© 2017