The Tax Day That Wasn't

JOHN TLUMACKI/Boston GLOBE STAFF

The Tax Day That Wasn’t

I spoke to my grandmother today

Through her nursing home window

Framed by frozen forsythia.

Modeling the white straw hat

Navy ribbon bowed, streaming in twins

Would have to wait.

My daughter's face had appeared haloed

Holding the hat secure to her head

Other hand holding her basket

Spilling over with booty

Scattered around our backyard.

Easy to fill up when you’re alone.

She wanted to go right then

Show Great-Granny bonnet, basket, bunny

Her Easter Best.

Wednesday we will after naptime I promised.

Then the snow fell.

Different Postures

DOUGLAS QUAN/TORONTO STAR

Different Postures

Familiar whimper
Same sound made when the candidate I caucused for dropped out

Also uttered upon comparing the inanity
To what could have been
Whenever his opponent tweeted up

There are those who can manipulate a profit
Even when all the buyers have gone home

There are others who run themselves florid
Organizing goods to keep them in common

I look out the upstairs window
At the cardinals fighting over mating rights
To my backyard

Wishing I could tell both crews what I think of them
Face to face