seduced

 "I want
  to do 
  with you 
  what spring does 
  with the cherry trees."
                                 Pablo Neruda 
                                                      Poem #14 from 20 Love Poems and a Song of Despair XIV

as if... it were the very first time
tall dark trees 
that have appeared to be as good as dead 
begin to break open 
hardened darkened deadened wood
gently reveal fragile 
pink
beautiful to starving eyes
irresistible to the touch
unfurling 
blooming
pink
I've waited I've watched 
maybe today
and then....
somehow I am still caught off guard
when today is the day 
pink
I almost run
to catch them 
pink 
in this day's 
fading sun
exhilarated 
in awe and wonder
surviving through many seasons
surviving through days of winter
pushing through
to remain forever
perhaps not 
this delicate first blush 
pink
but even once the blooms have fallen
faded 
back to green
the strong dark trees stand
enduring remaining
bare once again
holding in endless expectation the return of gentle beauty 
as once again...
....as if.... for the very first time