It’s Spring Again in Your Homeland

for Amy

It’s spring again in your homeland.
We obtain the jays with crackers
no longer do they fly to the cedar tree
instead they sit easily
blue on the sill.

Can I call it spring again?

It’s spring again in your homeland.
All the women are carrying fans
and copies of cummings or Williams;
the air around them moves
full of phrases.

Can I call it spring again?

It’s spring again in your homeland.
Is there anyone left
who hasn’t climbed to the attic
their arms full of sweaters
smiling a little.

Can I call it spring again?

It’s spring again in your homeland.
Young lovers are scattering diamonds
young geese are swirling in the pond
the leaves are new
hanging fresh in the trees

Can I call it spring again?

Or should I find another word
to describe the season
that I’m spending
without you
in your homeland.

–Spring 1990

(line breaks and punctuation approximate; transcribed from audio recording)