Jessica Tina Chang

Better Days

With skies blue as forget-me-nots
In cold December, I plant poinsettias
By the yellowing lawn in a ring
Around the tree where light, like ribbons,
Filters through spreading branches. I tie
The trunk with a white bow and toast

To better days than when I sat by a toaster,
Eating cereal near Mom's forget-me-nots
And Dad came downstairs, necktie
Red with white stripes like poinsettias
Crimson with thin milky ribbons.
He fingered his worn wedding ring;

I studied elephants in a circus ring
On the cereal box, startled by the toaster
As Dad said he wanted a break. Yanking ribbon
From the tablecloth, I spilled forget-me-nots,
Ran upstairs, face red as poinsettias,
Wishing so hard I could somehow tie

Him up so he wouldn't leave. Tongue tied
In knots, I only heard Mom's cries ringing,
A different December from when poinsettias
Lined the hallway and Dad always toasted
To happy days. Today, I plant forget-me-nots,
Wondering if he remembers kites with ribbons

Of lavender we used to fly. I plait ribbons
In my daughter's hair like those Dad and I tied
On presents years ago. When forget-me-nots
Bloom, I remember laughter ringing
As a child instead of sitting by the toaster
Drinking milk, white as poison of poinsettias.

Every Christmas, our yard blooms poinsettias;
The evergreen tree shivers for ribbons
Of white and gold, the colors of fresh toast.
We sing carols along with the radio and tie
Silver bells on our tree; they ring
Like the doorbell as I bring Mom forget-me-nots

Blue as the ribbons I tie in my daughter's hair.
Now, when poinsettias bloom, we toast
To days with rings of kites and forget-me-nots.

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