Slow-Burning Valentine

It’s been a long cold winter and we’re leaning
together; our roots were undercut
by flood and frost. February brought
warmer weather, but the violets out front
refuse to bloom; inside, sick dog and dying cat
tick down in tandem.
Wind my branches
into yours, and wait for spring. Maybe
we’ll skip blossoming this year.
In May,
my valentine, we’ll celebrate our day.