WHEN MOCK ORANGE SCENTS THE HOMESTEAD
SURVEYORS’ NEON FLAGS BLOOM IN THE FIELD

which isn’t to say blame, only season.

The great grandmother’s heart sags, a saturated peony in too much rain
which is to say hearts fail , and season.

The pasture to stay in the family gone
which is to say gone, and season.

Their horizon for half a century down to children needing more
which is to say something else, and season.

Which isn’t to say what is left is less but only that they don’t know it yet
which is to say turn, and season.