One Flower at a Time
Can you find it in yourself not to?
Will you remember
to take one flower at a time
at the right time
and pass it over the garden gate
into his hands
but only the one flower, the one gift
at a time
not the whole bloody garden
because you think it’s expected
or because you think he will leave
if you only give him a dahlia?
And it doesn’t have to be
pretty roses or forced carnations.
Give him presents of the weeds
and the decaying leaves, something rank and lush.
The compost could do him good.
And never let him in
to climb the tree
or claim part of it.
Never.
It will only end in tears.
Page(s) 41
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