FROST FLOWER (for Jayne)

Out in the wilds where life runs free
a flower grows innocuously
no hint what it will come to be
as autumn raises its cold head.

A slim green stalk with few small leaves
in bunches it sways in cooling breeze
it's but awaiting a light freeze
before waking petals from their bed.

Then just after the first light frost
yet before hard freeze when all is lost
it blooms with blue flowers embossed
usually near an old homestead.

Sometimes the blue is joined by white
as they explode in color over night
while other flowers fade from sight.
They supplant the yellows and the red.

So flower, far across the sea
who's awaiting winter anxiously
blossom at least once more for me
before you lie down in your bed.