for Joi Sharp
And there they appeared,
all around me, roses,
lilies and delphiniums blue,
and even some flowers
that weren’t in season—
lilacs, azaleas
and birds of paradise,
all of them blooming,
abundant and blooming,
the air hung with sweetness,
the petals so soft,
and for a while I thought
oh! for me! my flowers!
my bouquets! Until
one by one, though reluctant
at first, and with some pouting throughout,
I was guided to give them away
and they were much
lovelier then.