In mid April, for two short weeks

the Magnolia
breaks its blossoms over the deck

each of its eyes open wide
the fleshly creamery of
each unfolded bud
organic Mandela of intention 
grown from shadow, underworld.

One morning as we watch, enjoy
out of nowhere, after
twenty years of marriage  
you tell me you are empty
depressed

You do not know why, what it means
refuse to talk, cannot talk.

I cannot know
what this will mean for me

I have mistaken distance, stillness
for love. 

Like the Spring
this way of being has just arrived

born in deep black flowers
that spread themselves around us
move beyond us, into the house.


Photo by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash

Alan Hill

Alan Hill was born in the UK and immigrated to Canada in 2005. He is the former Poet Laureate of the City of New Westminster, BC (2017-2020), former president of the Royal City Literary Arts Society (RCLAS), and was the editor and curator of A Poetry of Place: Journeys Across New Westminster, published in partnership with New Westminster Arts Services. His writing has been published both in Canada an internationally. His latest book , 'In The Blood' , was published by Caitlin Press in 2022.