Blue Ribbons

Naked tree
reveals blue ribboned nest
streamers dancing in the wind
relics of exuberance

But these are not ribbons
but strips of blue plastic
from the house across the street
plastic sheeting for a roof

Sunset shows light from one corner window to another
Headlights illuminate shadows
It is the only light
Celia (can I name her) lives there, but only sometimes

The state has a lien
payment for her dead father’s health care
father she will not even name
father who was not one, and worse

Each morning I raise the blinds
chilled by this naked house
dirty peeling yellow, dented metal door
disabled bird bath

Hoping this time tulips will bloom
windows will open, white curtains will swell
and there will be Celia
shaking a rug on the porch

But not this morning –
surprised the winning raffle ticket
is not mine
I double check the number

Pulling strings, closing the day
the house remains
so desperately still in the darkness
even the sky looks hopeless
is this house to blame?

No more than the blue ribboned nest
built by Cedar Waxwings
residency derailed by feral storms –
dogwood denied
generations of dapper fruit eaters

Party nest looks mournful now
more like its sister house
across the street –
both empty promises

But no mistaking the house across the street
for streamers dancing in the wind