Paper Flowers

You asked me why I doubted you -

There was no reason that you knew;

You said you hated bitterness,

Then left, without the least caress.

And so, tonight, I wrote it out.

I filled nine pages with my doubt;

And, as I wrote, it came to me

That, without faith, love cannot be.

I had not loved; no need to cry;

No need to even say goodbye.

I thought prosaic thoughts, as these;

"How poignant are the leafless trees

This time of year. The Spring is late.

Those lifeless lilacs by the gate,

Were every year the thrushes build,

Most certainly are winter-killed..."

Then, steps outside my unlocked door

And careless mud across my floor...

Laughing, to see my swift surprise,

You tipped my chin, looked in my eyes,

Looked deep into the heart of me,

And kissed me, long and tenderly...

I shall not ever really know

The moment that my hands let go -

Down to the eager hemlock flame

Each page of doubt and hurt and blame;

But - paper flowers burst to bloom,

And lilac fragrance... filled the room...