Plum Blossoms by Sandy Benitez

It isn’t quite Spring,
yet the plum trees
have begun to blossom; 

blush, pink petals 

awaken from their sleep, 

floating lightly
on cradles
of mocha-latte branches.

Soon, as days float by,
the entire tree
will become regal,
adorned in a long gown
of delicate pink flowers
with droplets of water pearls.

This should be the year
we finally take the rare 

moment-in-time photo 

standing beneath the plum.

Aged hands
and years intertwine, 

our middle-aged bodies 

mimic the tree’s posture. 

Pearlescent bones
hold us upright

as our love continues 

to blossom and grow.

Sandy Benitez is the founding editor of Poppy Road Review.  Her recent chapbooks include Autumn Wonders, Winter in the Bones, and Cherry Blossom Days.