This vulnerable house of spare rooms rests 
upon a sand foundation atop the New 
Madrid Fault Zone, a flatland region 
lacking subterranean stones to absorb 
quakes and the thousand aftershocks rippling 
out amplified by layers of soft sediment. 
Ignoring that is not the same as being fine. 

Damage spreads faster, radiates farther
here in the heartland than out West where roots 
of fold ranges anchor against one another 
like crowded molars stabilizing the broken 
earth. Now, there’s something to believe in: 
jutting saw-toothed stone monoliths 
shouldering the sky, holding it all in place. 
                        

White flowering Dogwood
rosy, pink Redbud blooms 
fragrant Lilac spikes
all blossomed and past.
As is the reviled Bradford Pear.  
Maple, Elm, Walnut, Willow, 
Birch, Beach all full on.

Appearing barren as wicker
or the dead honeysuckle cane
finally on May 23rd the Mimosas leaf
wispy green lacy fern-like foliage. 

Autumn will reward their patience. 
Pink puff ball blossoms
pure delight to bees, hummingbirds,
sphinx moths, and butterflies
will persist into November. 
Brown bean-like seed pods 
scatter through December

to root a thousand starts
I will, come April, uproot first.