High Pressure Wild Card

by Jennifer Lagier

Rain clouds hit an atmospheric wall,
dump drizzle on Vancouver,
snow in Chicago.

Along Monterey Bay, parched chaparral
and shriveled sage concede the battle.
Storm tides slam ashore, ignorant
of faux spring, this year’s tardy winter.

Befuddled plums erupt, bare limbs
concealed within festive blossoms.
Hillsides release lupine and poppies into dry shrouds.
Wild grasses bleach blonde before our very eyes.

It’s rumor and sun glow,
a persistent high pressure ridge
rerouting downpour.