One Petal

Photograph by Reka Jellema. September 2014. Untitled.

under the heading
 blossom   I find
shotgun shells  
   hollyhock parasols  
       wads of juicy fruit         
      ammo       
combat boots
  (don't shoot)

I find
  the places    
      I almost took you      and I almost let you go
hands up
        hands all the way up

I find 
  peace
    in the cracks
      in the tarmac

a white butterfly
   dandelions   
cattails

in the muck
  of the train yard
     crushed geraniums  
baby napes

  Your hands grew up   long thumbed     

I find
  you
    still slay me 

One petal     ripped    
     at a time


Written with Jennifer Savage
By Jennifer Savage and Reka Jellema
September 2014