The trees stand shivering
in their lacy skivvies
thin arms, upraised hands
held out in surprised outrage

I bring my coat back out of the closet
and button it up, bite my lip
without thinking, till there’s a deep
fault where my teeth just were

The thaw sends a gush of mud
and trees as large as houses
root balls like huge dish brushes
They pull at any living thing that’s near

which includes whatever’s bloomed too soon