Cherry Seeds

to Yelena

Last year, the cherry pits flew in an envelope,

got past customs somehow,

and spent an artificial winter in the fridge.

We split them with pliers,

potted the seeds, and grew them in the high windows.

We dabbed diluted milk

on their cherry-scented leaves to kill the mildew.

From end of summer

till mid-October, we hardened them off

for wind, night, and frost.

They prepped for transplant into greater Earth.

Then—ketamine snow.

We think four of them have survived

and it’s one way

to cut the odds of extinction

lest orchards

be felled by steel-cased shells.

Spring blossoms.