limp lavender-shaded flower
plucked from shadowy lilac tree
stolen stealthily during
dull grey daytime weather
spring showers threatened;
loomed over top of flower thieves
who plucked the lilac carelessly
from redolent gardens of knowledge
thief with small salmon-colored
flower tucked safely behind one ear
wished fervently that
she could revive the lilac
stroked the flower gently
and pressed her nose
into the sweet fragrance that
only lilac could produce
ambled away from her haven; garden of knowledge
arms emerged in scarlet fringes
french twisted forsythia adorning the ivory
that is her face.
30 April 1998