Almost

In the Shade

I have never needed anything
without knowing I needed it,
not until today. Not until
the mourning dove sang
in the shade of the cherry tree
and the pink tulle clusters danced
in time. I fell in love
with the way her cheeks shimmered
grey to pink with each note.

She wore spring like rouge and
painted grief beautiful -
a miracle I found
in a hospital parking lot.