How You Kill a Lily

I've already risen from this blood-filled earth for you

I.

You hacked at the stems
because you thought
such beauty was better suited
to the Fortress of Things you built around you.
And now
you’ve got a vase full
of dirty water
and dead lilies.
I step back,
cover my mouth
and muffle a scream
of recognition.

II.

You can love a lily
adore it
marvel at it
weep at its effortless beauty
and
leave it alone
uncut
undisturbed
as it breaks open
in exaltation to the sun
in heady praise of the dead
that died before it.

III.

I’ve already risen
from this blood-filled earth
for you
for the living
a gift
a reminder
a mirror
of your own magnificence.