Zumwalt spring
it takes about 50 years
they say
to get used to the fact
that spring doesn't come
by the calendar
just as unpredicted
three inches of new snow
the ponies, half-shed-out
things refusing to poke aboveground
ranch truck in the ditch
stock dogs panting on the haybales
boss on the cell phone
calling for the 4x4
the neighbors laughing
behind those straight faces
Wallowa telephone poles singing
Joe dumped it again
"Yeah, you'd think he'd know by now
ain't spring in the Wallowas
til fall."
KB
