slow greening of parking
lot trees in May
makes the quick cardinal
easier to see
but harder to look at
en route to punch clocks—
is it really so
much of a stretch to be
spread on that distant buttery
lawn instead—snoozing safe
and lucky, loosely guarded by blushing
company of tall
tulips,
and maybe
a few bees skimming
lazy through the swaying neighborhood?
