A few good days fooled us the cold weather returned we thought it was early spring. I worried if my almond tree had its buds been damaged and will not bloom and strews petals on the lane, the illusion of frost, the princes in the tower saw in the fairy tale. The fire in the grate is exuding warmth the dog no one owns snoozes in a chair, no, the heart to throw it out I’m not a tree hugger, but give trees a friendly slap a sucker for the down and out bought a chicken for a Roma women begging outside, the guard said, “you must not feed them” like they should be vermin. I love my almond tree reminded me of my mother when she was old, so sweet her face in her frailty.