Annual birth of blossoms
on Mother's coffee table
in her long-
silent living room.

The Christmas Cactus
a fuchsia outburst
its yellow-tinged centre
tucked within white streaks.

Several virgin buds keep closed
until debut; long ballerina’s toes
on point.

Flourishing in intense light
open petals flamboyant
and guarded by the
emerald green prickles of jagged foliage
in vertical sequence
from an umbrella-like tree.

Annual brightness
on Mother's coffee table
in her long-
silent living room

01/07/2004