my creaky joints wake up
but wait to move
a wet and ruffled blackbird blinks
and hesitates to leave my shoulder

a pause
my slowly filling lungs
inhale and freeze

the sun unfolds

another leaf
turning its rays
to sugar

i lean into it
soon i'll have to take a step
stumble or fall

all is just that
for this one moment's moment

somewhere
the first traffic light
of spring turns green

a distant horn sounds:
let everything
proceed