The roses left early this year,
but the frangipanis are here.
Bougainvilleas arrive too,
in sudden shocks of blooms.
Krishnachuras light a small fire
in branches with new leaves,
and unnamed bunches of bright pink
surround themselves with the darkest green.
Yes, they've come to surprise us with spring.
Is this what tropical means?
Is spring here to help us make peace
with summer? Come sing! By tropical means.
The hurt of darkness blooms-
a pink flower against man's fist, against his cigar-stained lips.
