Spring

Proud purple myrtle, 

daffodil winks and curtsies, 

golden pollen trinkets at every turn. 

Houses with puffed door chests, 

sidewalks akimbo to the sun,

dogs jangling on lax leads.

Bike tires spinning, pairs strolling, 

every small child crouched 

to look closer at the beautiful dirt.  

How we long to let our animal selves

loose in the world: all nose and eyes 

and wagging, urge and yearning. 

If we could, we would roll around

on the grass and show our bellies.

Rub me, world, I’ll let you. 

I trust you completely now.