Tansy

The heat will have its say

and tansy ragwort has had its way

with our fields — bright yellow proclamation

of ground disturbed, outrageous brilliance,

enough to out-radiate

the scorching day

We will wait in shade

and in the stillness

that allows the wind a voice.

Yellow jackets hum and then are silent,

and take up the buzz again

as the long afternoon stretches languidly

towards the evening cool.

©Wendy Mulhern

July 22, 2018