brake lights

several days ago I was walking by the front door, when I saw brake lights through the windows,

I went outside, we weren’t expecting anyone,

and found that the red flash I saw wasn’t a car leaving our driveway.

it was flowers, all over our yard, on long established bushes and trees, plants that have been rooted for decades.

I told my husband that night, while I washing my face, getting ready for bed, hair up to keep my bangs dry-

how cool it was that after being dormant for two years, these plants decided to bloom again.

I wondered out loud what caused the change.

he told me every spring they’ve blossomed. that can’t be! I said. all of them? last year? and the year before? he nodded, a little sadly, I think.

you see, my brother died, and my world turned gray. I haven’t seen color for two springs, I thought everything stopped living, a sort of natural solidarity with me, with him.

and then last week I saw those bright, flashy, extravagant flowers and every time I leave my house I am surprised by them.