Every late spring when frosts are past
the Widow Wyile sets her plants free
in the gently shaded out of doors
the aloes and kalanchoe around the lilac
the nameless house-tree that often appears deceased
rejuvenates yearly under the care of the mountain ash
and three hibiscuses
hibisci three
enjoy a north-facing summer
their showy ruby blooms
fine company for the perfumed rose rose
white lilac       vanilla azalea
and their unscented bushy companions
orangey azalea and deep pink rhododendrons
blooming on and on well into fall
along with a geranium or two 

Well. The cold returns
the potted plants and their inhabitants
are carried back inside
lined up by the back door
step one of the seasonal transition 

Soon thereafter the Widow
startles upon the sounding
of a short aria emanating
from somewhere without
no        within her home
            trill-a-rill-roll-rill
or        some days
            cheep-a-peep-peep-keep
a bird-like song that repeats each morning
though there are no flutters    feathers
or other bird-like signs
nor sign of any vehicle
other than the plants
all in a row 

Which plant conceals the mystery singer?
What is the meaning of the song? 

The day she starts transporting plants
to their wintering windowsills
the song comes closer to the hearth
the grace of mystery emanating
from a densely sprawling aloe
the tenor announcing life daily
for a time that remains
to be seen     as the saying goes
though time is as invisible
and indeed mysterious
            despite all clocks and calculations
as is the fugacious singer’s song

[aloe image credit: drawism.com]