After the Blossoms Fall*

After the Blossoms Fall

 

I believe that God loves me in a pathological way;

And since I am so loved, I am occasionally exempted

From abiding by the laws of the natural world.

 

I too often presume a divine commitment

To the happy well-being of my delusions

And the triumph of my quixotic desires.

Indeed, I regularly confuse Providence

With the goals of a personal universe.

 

So, I grabbed my camera and headed to the waterfront

Where the cherry blossoms grow along River Street,

Even though I had no idea if those wonderful trees

Were still in the midst of vernal resplendence.

 

They were a few days ago, so why not today?

 

But that day, the sun had not been made to stand still.

The blossoms had already fallen, and I ended up

Chatting with an angry tour boat captain

Who said he was done hauling dopes

Around Bird S**t Island for nickels

And had no interest in Nature

Or the hopes of another.

 

He was a very bitter guy who seemed on the verge

Of giving up on things altogether �" Forever.

 

And I think he was momentarily tempted

To punch me in the nose just for noticing that.

 

He also hated his “fat, lazy, c**k-eyed, partner,”

Which I took as a sign and the inspiration for this poem.