Perfect Blossom

I have seen the cherry blossoms grow and
wax then
fall
or drift and laugh in
tumbled flight
over the petalled air and

I

have seen
the honeyed blade cleave butterflies
with its sere cut scything
four wings into pairs, well

not seen it is
a puzzle of light the
stroke of no mind takes
no time, the
eye

cannot frame its stillness, I

have spent this lifetime
scrying the waxing year for the perfect
blossom
but it
eludes me still

-30-

Kingston, Ontario, July 23, 2004