Maryland’s not known for its
Mountains, but today will do⎯
Spring’s first dogwood snow.
Lovers kiss near the precipice.

A 9,700 pound canon had a radius
Of 360°. The Union could break
A lot of hearts with that fire
Power. Imagine, looking up

Into the veil of redbuds, purple
Spider wort, the last of Virginia
Bluebells, to witness iron death
Inescapable. That feels familiar,

Doesn’t it? Destruction on a
Clear spring day. Here on the
Heights, it seems safe for now.
But there’s always the sky.