Risking frosts

Stems ascend  

Lifting green ovules towards Heaven

unfurling yellow, pink and purple prayer banners     

to dance in praise amid breeze and rain

Who builds believing

only buttercups will remain?

Who erects fences knowing  

long after cedar posts collapse into the dust  

and barbed wires slowly rust

that Tigerlilies will guard boundaries, that once held our trust?    

Who strives remembering

only crocus, lilacs, and lilies linger along life’s path?.

For once again, below earth’s frozen crust  

Beautifully brown bulbs huddle against winter’s chill  

And perhaps more mysterious still

a greater chorus will arise in spring to sing

and whirl before God in yellows, purples and greens.