the orange flame tulip is pursed
against purple heuchera,
‘plum puddin`’ lit red beneath,
bluegreen rubber rosettes
of a resurging sedum
and acidic lime green bracts
of euphorbia, those strange
sea creature suckers
with gorgeous blossom
and glossy leaf mass, blooms
a generous cerise, some dusted
with yellow stains like fading
dowagers poised for a fall
and muscari blue spikes,
velvety violas with a bronze
underpetal and there
above the tiny alpines
a shocking pink primula
and silky pulsatilla
printed ammonites and
sea pebbles to remember
you this time each year
