Eleven Ways of Looking at Azaleas

I

Has he seen azaleas before?

II

They’re different shades of pink, just like the flowers he gave me

through the phone when we were long distance.

III

I know he would have tried

to give me one,

but he isn’t here.

IV

He would have given me every single azalea if he could.

V

I wonder where they are

when they aren’t blooming.

VI

Every November,

all of the azaleas are long gone.

I wish I had more time with them.

VII

The azaleas knew so little of the world.

VIII

The azaleas remind me of

all of the flowers at Virginia Water.

IX

There are many, many of these flowers.

The flowers grow close together

just like us.

X

The azaleas shiver in the wind

like the people in St. Peter’s Basilica.

XI

The azaleas are gone now.