City Poem

Between the cracks
grows weeds
small pretty purple and yellow
flowers
the beginnings of trees
ever optimistic
that they'll be allowed
to live and let live
that where they fall
is where they can stay

the cracks
get quite wide
in this city of cycles
ice and river
freeze and thaw
like pop cans
left in the freezer
like hard green buds
left on branches
the sidewalks explode
in spring

between the cracks
is where I grow
a little here and there
try to squeeze in
burrow deep into tough soil
hibernate with the ants
survive the freaking winter
learn to get strong
push up concrete
with my shoulders
explode in the spring