May

(may apple, a perennial herb found in the
woodlands of eastern North America)

from THE MONTHS

MAY

May apple, daffodil,
hyacinth, lily,
and by the front
porch steps

every billowing
shade of purple
and lavender lilac,
my mother’s favorite flower,

sweet breath drifting through
the open windows:
perfume of memory – conduit
of spring.

~ Linda Pastan, b. 1932, American poet