A Touch Of Redbud
Spring reconciles the hillside,
and recalls her elegance.
Bitter arms mellow, and bud
into magenta tufts snatched
from nestling in deep winter
pockets. She pardons her
branches through dazzling
celebrity crowds of dogwood,
and flowering plum; gently
stroking the strut of assumed
preeminence. A rosy-pink
supporting roll, for a gentle,
gracious lady.
*Kevin Heaton's work has appeared in over 80 print, and online journals. He is listed as a notable poet at: KansasPoets.com
A Touch of Redbud has appeared in: A Cherry Blossom Review, 2011 MLM The Quiet Press, 2011
Cuckoo-pint
Call me Angel, call me Devil.
Call me whatever you will –
For a deep religious theme
the bloody leaves of Wild Arum
make me Eve to your Adam,
Parson to your Clerk,
Quaker, silent in wood’s dark.
Call me Angel, call me Devil.
Call me whatever you will –
Hurry, hurry, Wake Robin
have him thread a new Bobbin
weave a cloth for Queens and Kings,
Ramp it well with Starch Root,
let it cloak the Naked Boys.
Call me Angel, call me Devil.
Call me whatever you will –
Fit me with a Friar’s Cowl.
If I’m a Cow then you’re a Bull
or with the Adder’s Root I’m bit,
so name me Jack in the Pulpit.
Choose now from this long name hoard.
If I’m a Lady, are you my Lord?
*Kate Noakes' most recent collection is The Walls Menders (Two Rivers Press). She blogs at www.boomslangpoetry.blogspot.com
