All Around the Fountain 12/2014

Paper whites come up in December

It is California, where the weather plays by its own rules.

The flowers are confused,

It feels like the kind of  spring day in other places I have lived

when the temptation of sandals looms large,but sneakers are clearly a better option.   

I speak to them

Silently

Lips curled half smirking,

"hold on Ladies, we are just getting started with this mess!".

In traditional four season climates with snow, known only in books to children here,

these same flowers lift their heads

like the dove with an olive branch

arriving at the window of a cold frozen ark.

Inhabitants hopeless in all but a benevolent God's power

once again to warm their faces with the strong rays of summer sun.

This year around the fountain, despite spillage, hose and sprinkler,

the paper whites remained in hiding.

Rain!

Only the truest manna from heaven,

convinced them to unfurl.

Delicate petals exposed

to harsh wind and pelting drops.

They remained while palm and eucalyptus branches crashed

all around.

These tiny flowers kept watch.

Harbingers of happiness.

No it may not be the end of winter.

But

they just might be announcing the end

to a very

long

drought.