My lavender

I sat on my stoop to damply observe

The streetlit mist and the murk

And the stars peeked out from behind a cloud

And told me to go rest for work

But my lavender has brave new flowers

It's spring in my old shop front

And the woodsmoke smell, and the Christmas lights

Seem none too pleased with her stunt

"How dare you burst forth in December?!" they cried

"How dare you buck nature's fine trend?"

But my lavender smiled, and sweetly-fragranced, she said

"Why can't we all just be friends?"