The city has canceled magnolia from blooming,

Forbid them to open,

Forbid them to bloom,

Except in cases of essential exception,

And only if they provide touchless delivery.

What will the loving magnolia trees do?

Will they worry?

Will they fret?

They said to hell with the recommended

Styrofoam take-out containers!

They’re not going to wait for cities to proclaim 

Some artificial date!

They will bloom with dignity, without fear,

At a time that seems right

And proper to their souls.

-jenn