flower catalogs arrive in february

flower catalogs occupy a vision

 of moving beyond
what is an ordinary
winter setting in

retaining the aspects
of lace and sateen pillows--
yet staying open to a wind

 that could propel itself

right through the ceiling joists
to wrap around
my see- saw heart

on a spinning leaf of sassafrass
caring no more 

for clothes dropped

 from 7 stories above
 the street level
 one urban afternoon

it was snowing,
and we had to walk
9 blocks to find a place
open for breakfast:

the corner of ninth ave.
and twenty first street,
our urban diner---
a run-down neighborhood favorite

during the storm, we'd have
several cups of coffee,
while waiting for the snow
 to let up...

as I thought
of winter, cabin fever,
 sooty coffee-
while the snow
piled up outside
 words/photo~ kate lamberg (c) '18