to karen

He takes the delicate bowl of her corollas in his hands, inhales them, and does not damage her.
Remember the daisy? This one, you daisy, high on your stem, playing Queen of the Mountain;

Only it's a bit of rock holding you up, shading your roots,
but to you, this is MOUNTAIN

You reach up and proud~ proud to be flower with no flowers around - for at least fifteen feet
(in the daisy world, this is far, far away~ leagues, even)

Without daisies, it is lonely
when the others nod together in greeting, or agreement

Raindrops tossed down, hit and slide over you

Large creatures try to crush the sweet juice from you

Flying things land on you
wings tips to taste you

Tree branches fall, and the hot broad sun pummels you

But, there you stand, open to the sky

Days eye, days eye, though you grow in our path
no one stops for you

Remembering you, I attempt to plant myself on the front concrete steps

Trying on lavender and yellow
raising my arms and spreading fingers to the sky

Tonight, I kissed a daisy~ the daisy
kissed me back, i think

her sourly tender, feathery petals
and tiny buds of powder moved
against my lips

I cradle her into the bowl of my fingers
and
brushing gently,
do not damage her.