Cut flowers

“And I won’t forget to put roses on your grave” (Rolling Stones)

cut flowers in a vase

already dead

we keep them only until

their death can no longer be denied

and throw them in the trash

because they will not grow

it seems strange to gift

my lover a bouquet,

because she enjoys the illusion

I still buy her dead flowers

12-31-22

(I think this one was redone later)–cb)