the day we finally meet

composed at a Writing in Nature session sponsored by the Kellogg Biological Station and the Red Cedar Writing Project

Before

the glow, glare and return to dark

the moving air

the tweets, chirps and caws

Underground

white roots snaked out

a stem reached up

leaves waited to unfurl

Surface

thirst quenched in the familiar dark led to

hungry sprouts that discovered rays

the sun nourishing outspread fronds

Soon tight buds

unclench

loosen

then burst

Into

furry lacy purple

fluffy frilly white

satiny pillowy yellow

Beauty anticipating | inviting | offering

powdery promises

sweet refreshments

satisfied cravings

That ensure our future.

Butterfly and bee — we await your own journey

from cramped to free

from incubation to frenzy

from unknown to debut

The day we finally meet.