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Monday, May 02, 2011

THE DAFFODILS' LAMENT

by Kathryn Ridall


the daffodils now appear,
     strewn across
          our spring yard

winter has been
      a hazardous affair

the only birdsong
      the hoarse rasp of crows

for months I have scrawled
     on crumbling pages
with elusive script

now spring opens her yellow doors,
     I want for a moment
          to forget

how earth’s crust heaved,
      cities rattling
 like bags of bones

how the sea rose
     and a proud people
          was submerged
   
then poisoned by fuel
       meant to aid

now is the time
      of spring’s awaited
           redemption—

a dollop of sunlight,
the flowers with bright
     lamenting faces


Kathryn Ridall is a poet from Eugene, Oregon. She is the author of the chapbook, The Way of Stones, and editor of the poetry anthology. When the Muse Calls: Poems for the Creative Life.
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