Poppies

                1.  Poppy Opening

This morning the front garden’s hung with fire-

rags.  From hairy green turtle-heads nodding

on narcoleptic stems, crumpled lightspill.

Within spreading orange satin, a palace —

chambers of the Queen, profligate sapphires

around her door.  No need to take it inside

us, when just to see induces dreaming . . .

                2.  Downfall

After their glory week, the poppies drop

their petals in the rain.  Fallen, they lose

their color almost immediately.  How often,

in this world, rain is the agent of downfall!

While one thing is falling, another is standing

up.  How will you ever know you’re alive

if you won’t go and stand naked in the rain?