Cuetlaxochitl
when not blighted

or root-bound
you are a lanky thing

almost unrecognizable
when green

we know you only
seasonally

by your fiery bracts
as a crimson attendant

to the shortest days
of winter

which is another way
to say the longest nights—

here as always words
are problematic

we hear what is said
but not what is omitted

and accept cheery propagation
without a second thought