I would pick bouquets of weeds
for my mom
to proudly display in a mason jar on the dining room table.
And she’d teach me the parts of a flower
while I dissected its splendor
by plucking off the petals and stamens so I could see
more clearly the pistil.

And I learned
dogwoods always maintain their innocence,
but as women, we all grow into orchids
reaching and owning
our worth,
our influence,
our majesty,
our sanctity,
our charity,
our complexity,
our sophistication,
our beauty,
our independence,
our Womanhood.

But perhaps more than anatomy or virtues
I gradually realized that
we don’t simply fade away;
we dance on the breeze.
Our collective fragrance lingering
like daisy chains of grace.

And I still feel you near me.

07/02/2005

Author's Note: for mommy ♥

Posted on 07/02/2005
Copyright © 2024 Lulu Alder