Here at last comes spring,

winter less trim

than in recent years. The thing

you revealed to him

 

was that you prized the smell

of gardenias and the hue

of purple irises. You went on to tell

that you once grew

 

only perennials with white

flowers, like the Boule de Neige rose.

Pinks and blues now offer delight

in your garden, but even those

 

you’d willingly give away

to allow sunflowers room to play.