Molly Frederick’s most recent poem to appear here was “The Visit” (October 2019).
Remorse
By Molly Frederick
Spring is coming, and I’m not ready.
The pieces are falling into place.
Grass breathes better in a stronger light.
And, hour by hour, the color green
is considered. Then chosen.
Forthright and wise, each crocus embraces
its own remembered hue.
Elsewhere, jadeite knives and malachite
spear tips pierce the ground
from underneath. But I’m not ready.
Heavy is this winter heart hung on every tree
because I did not look long enough
upon the parched and subtle beauties
that were mine.
A last chance to understand winter’s ways
has vanished into one more frozen past.
Too late to go back now.
And far too soon to meet what’s next.
