That Spring

spring came all the same. announced itself
like a woodpecker on bark. my heart barked in my chest


each morning, I didn’t dare go back to sleep—couldn’t bear to wake
twice to the same day around my throat like the vines climbing the oaks


out the window. that spring everything green was cast in the shadow
of that which, for a moment upon waking, I didn’t quite remember,


couldn’t yet name. no one dared mention her. the blossoms dared open anyway—
thousands of pink mouths pronouncing themselves undead. a big fucking show
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