1274

I was keeping
flowers in lanterns

oh, no
I had taken the candle out
don’t misunderstand me

I was keeping flowers
alive in lanterns

found it entrancing
the way they stretched their necks
at the sun
and curled to sleep when their
mother passed over them

but that wasn’t all
I was nothing if not creative

I was also
also
keeping seashells and sand
in the smaller lanterns

and no
I took the candle out of there too

there was no movement
but
I thought everything was aware of
the coast and the looping
sound of waves
like hushed guitar strings
late at night

what did I do with them?

well it’s quite an embarrassment
if I’m telling the truth

I left them on the train

I was going to see my love
but she surprised me at the station
and so overwhelmed
I left them beside my seat
as I ran into her arms

you found them?
what are you going to do with them?

may I recommend something?

give them to your truest lover