I said yes in April
to Arizona,
to cactus flowers
and Joshua trees.
The crocuses had just
opened their mouths
to the first Yes!
of spring. Some years
it is the only sign
I recognize.
 
We learned some things
that spring in the Mojave:
Joshua trees can
live a thousand years.
The cactus flower can stay
hidden until it is ready
to bear fruit.
Female bees search ghost flowers
for ghostly nectar.
The nectar is in its cousin,
blazing star.
It is a game the flowers play,
the bees are confused,
but industrious enough
to beat the odds.
 
We learned some things
that spring:
hope from the crocus,
patience from the Joshua tree,
restraint from the cactus.
As for the ghost flower, we
already know enough about
deception. The bees? They
teach us to look for nectar
in everything we see.