Flowers

Today, as I held you in my arms,

I felt an itch bubble and creep up my throat.

It was incessant, even with my attempts to gingerly swallow the

Flowers growing in my neck.

They lightly grazed every place I could not reach as the breeze tustled them

Back and forth.

I muttered curses into the wind,

Praying the flowers would not emerge from my mouth and

Dare to disturb you,

For the lids of your eyes and everything in between

Drew me to every speck

On your sanded face and collar.

And yet, my flowers grew into trees,

Scrambling and scraping,

Until they fell through my teeth in splintered apologies.

"Do you need water?"

Your words carried the lingering scent of the same petals lodged in my throat,

Only they caressed me in ways I never knew flowers could.

"A cough drop should be fine."

Never have I savored a cough drop more than

Today, as I held you in my arms.

2/8/23

https://soundcloud.com/larryfisherman/mac-miller-circles