the paragon of a

birthday Buddha

flickers on a certain

wall.

mid-November wind

flickering two welting

purple columns dotted

with daffodils.

good enough to

withstand

him, he good enough

to withstand their

center.

they are meant to

hold candles.

but they don't.

allowing for the first

blade of green grass

to pass thru them.

winter is long.