Springtime in Spring Valley (for David and Soleil)

tiny red succulent seeds burst open 

with tart and tempting juice

onto a thick carpet

of soft green grass,

while the braided grapevine births

its promise of summer fruit

as the laughing couple

surrounded by smiling

friends,

now refreshed and enlivened

by their Italian adventure

spring forth into a life

of joy and sweet

surprise
together.

(Cinco de Mayo 2014)