Pure white petals

Lying in the dust
           the pure white petals
of the magnolia
           are tossed
this way and that
           as they catch the breeze

The tree
           with its naked branches
stands forlorn :
           its blooms were ahead
of their time and now
           their time has passed

Life has its debris
           and beauty its span
perhaps love too
           but come spring
the magnolia
           will bloom again—
as for love tell me please
           when will love return ?

John Lyons