we both go down together

from Dear Paper Flowers


I was looking at your thin stem leaning
against the wall.

propped and slightly crooked.

Little shadow lean long.

Petals shouldn’t be fuzzy but are.

They stand in circular

lines touching edges, reaching out, then up.
you are stiff,

brittle yes,

you never bend in and out

of water—the same.

Protea from the corner. How long
did you sit in the window

colorless petals, spiny and neat.

Sometimes I hate the way you’re wrapped.
Tissue paper and
twine. The tiny purple acscents woven in.

Next time come alone.

Why does your stem have no leaves

to dip and dive around

your thinness. Instead you bring filler,

crowding the base. Purple

lilacs are beady and fine—fluffy even,
try cat tails for future reference.
Note:

babies breath will grind into nothing, don’t bring those.

Your blossom is large and heady,
popping into a startling white.
fuzzy and un-flower like. When I

dry you out, will

you turn a dirty grey

or go ivory with a touch of brown?

Please—

stay stiff and never wilted.