Soon, between winter and full bloom spring
this tree will reach the peak of its ascent
outdoing promise at planting, thought a shrub
it billowed like an Edwardian lady’s hat
in stately wallpaper green dotted with
puffball flowers bedecked in lorikeets
or autumn berries, purple and replete
another space in tribal time young girls
mask disappointment faintly with a smile
in a desert land where lilies seek to thrive
