In April, during the time of tulips,
we revisit the scarlet pimpernel,
princess Irene, the red emperor,
and the queen of the night.

Seeking relief from the aristocratic tulips,
we find solace with the dreaming maid,
Aladdin, Abigail,
and the elegant negrita.

Once, we babysat Ms. Negrita,
the typhoid Mary of lovebirds.
Our parakeet went wild with complicated acrobatics
to impress her. All she would give him

was a deadly infection.