Flamboyan
You say it must come down
(Inside is the orange red where roots take hold)
What would happen if the flamboyan
Spread its roots beneath the house
Burrowed through the foundation
And appeared unannounced in the living room
Like a new baby, leaving pollen on the table
Petals, stamen, arrogant pistils
August sun burns the asphalt
Dogs sleep protected under its fronds
before it comes down
Maria Marrero was nurtured on pablum and poetry by her mother who sang her “las
Nanas”, little verses in Spanish. She is a lover of poetry and a lover of
words in both Spanish and English. She has taught writing for over 30
years, and now that she’s retired she finally has the time to write
poetry every day.
