I killed something beautiful
and gave it to you as a gift…
… OK, I only bought you flowers.
I didn’t really kill anything;
but if the flowers don’t improve your mood,
then maybe killing something would.
No, that’s illegal.
We’ll have to stick with flowers.
Funny, how we attempt to bring
the beauty of the garden into the home,
with gifts of fresh cut flowers
that are dead within a week.
Now, we have brought
the beauty of the compost pile
into our homes.
Dead things.
Sitting in a cheap, dollar store vase.
Looking all cheap
and dead.
How thoughtful.
Maybe the carcass of some dead thing
really would make a better gift.
At least it would take more effort
than stopping by the Safeway after work.
But, alas! It is not hunting season
and there does not seem to be
hordes of enemies at the door
begging to be slain,
so I guess flowers are the civilized thing;
for now.
Perhaps their color
will brighten your eyes.
Perhaps their beautiful scent
will ease the stress of daily labours.
Maybe, it is just the simple act
of someone giving a gift,
that will make you feel singularly special,
because you are unique and precious to me.
So, I guess you will get flowers
and someone will get to keep their life
and I will avoid being arrested
and the long, drawn out court case
where I explain that I killed someone
because I think flowers are tacky.
At least, for now – you’ll have to settle,
for these roses, daisies, lilies
carnations and tulips;
at least until hunting season.
HG – 2016
