Beate Sigriddaughter

I am jealous of everything
that stirs you more than I do,
everything that kindles light

in your beautiful eyes:
your best friend on the phone,
two exciting women

back from hiking the entire
Continental Divide Trail,
far more riveting than I

with my roses and my poems.
And then eagles, flying snakes, and
—how utterly embarrassing—

barnacles. I mean, barnacles!
The message I hear is: "Get back
in line. No exceptions for you."

It feels like untimely snow when
all the leaves are out and early roses
quiver smashed against the ground.