Raucous Rhubarb

Bernadine Lortis

Early May. Snow forecast for Minnesota
doesn´t scare rhubarb that struts its rosy legs
like cabaret dancers´ circling gams
through freshly thawed ground
confident in its reputation to provide
the tangy base for Mother´s Day custard cream pie.

Soon gorgeous crinkly buds disrobe themselves
under huge green poisonous umbrellas
that safeguard strong yet fragile stems
from summer´s intense broil
for after the 4th of July
folk lore spreads gossipy fingers
to warn neighbors against consumption.
A short fling, this ruby twisted tango
—no wonder it´s a first-show darling!