Snowbells

Snowbells in Cleveland Park

I nearly missed you

In my rush through the cold,

But the surprise of you caught

My eye: What was a flower

Doing out in the snow?

I saw you and I stopped.

But I couldn’t hear you.

My human ears failed

To hear your music.

What sound do you make

With your supple flesh?

Surely, not the tinkling

Of silver or crystal.

My human brain cannot

Imagine. Who can

Hear you? Mice? Fairies?

Flowers sleeping underground?

Do they waken to your song?

Elizabeth Steinglass