(Passiflora incarnata)

Listen: All the flowers
you’d hoped to see on your
favorite tropical island

have likely been blown
to smithereens by a hurricane,
and now is not the time

to make a nuisance of
yourself as a visitor.
But honey, take a gander

at the passion flowers
blooming their fool heads
off on the Garden Goddess’s

trellis on the corner, their
purple blooms unfolded like
an open palm, beckoning,

a mini helicopter pad
in the center, tiny yellow
pollen sacs hovering over.

And, as you stand there,
admiring, sure enough, a
small butterfly flits in

for a landing. Just a touch
and go on this blossom
that lasts maybe a day.

Yes, beauty is, indeed,
fleeting, but look at that
wavy fringe over those

lavender petals. Right
here on your block, honey—
so much loveliness,

like a gift you forgot
to open, presenting itself
when you need it most.

•••

(With appreciation for Garden Goddess Katie O’Rourke)