i like they way they are tied in knots

a belly button there in their middles,

and i like they way they're not here for very long.

you have to look quick or you'll miss them;

you'll have to wait until next year.

once-upon-a-time mary across the street

would soak them in ice water ~

she'd be up early in the morning picking them for me.

she'd soak them face down in bowls of cold water

and call me when she knew i was awake,

tell me she had a gift for me.

we would lay them in water in a low white bowl

and i would place them on the trunk at the foot of my bed.

and they would last.

true things always do.

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