her cancer surgery looms and
I walk worried in the park
more rare than leap year here,
a double rainbow suddenly appears
oh, I’m going to be fine—just fine,
Mom says—two rainbows twice the hope
then when my nest goes empty
a hummingbird swoops down
inches from my face, holds eye contact
as if he sees a bud in me: a cala lily,
bird of paradise, or a simple violet—
in his gaze I too could see
unfurled beauty I have yet to bloom,
perennial who will not die of cold
are you looking for something?
do you have a message for me?
he holds gaze just seconds more
in sudden ascent, disappears
above the roof, with no reply,
but I feel connected to
all beauty in this world
in that closeup look, no words required
double rainbows, tiny healer—
just when sky is darkest comes the shooting star
