My Beloved Flowers

My Beloved Flowers*** Those flames of orange marigolds; Proudly bloomed golden sunflowers; Perky pink asters; Lavender, draping-petaled petunias; and Deeply velvet, dainty violets In my cherished photo, showing Them arranged for my admiration… Those were the last flowers I was able to grow, As I collected their blossoms before The first frost two years ago and how Afterwards, my poor health Prevented my gardening anymore. But, now I will stare long, and often refer To the photo of those flowers, Even putting their colorful faces into Paintings on fine papers. Imagine, too — what must be due to the inner- Staying of some childhood Innocence — Smiling, I confess I wonder (just as I do about my favorite trees) If the flowers sense my Caring, or know at all That I am a friend? Do flowers take their flourish on to heaven? Too, does their Presence there present To God a praising beauty? And, might any of their Furthered energy be Gifted back to us? Silence. I do not Expect they speak …yet, my heart keeps on Trying this reach… I dare not guess about The infinite dimensions Of God-created Love… Nor do I know of the many ways Death was conquered. I also have A single, yellow rose I got at 16 From my brother to bless my ballet recital, Which I kept and pressed To hold for life… My beloved flowers now Grow on in a poem, Where revitalized in words, They may rise To meet other caring eyes. ———————————————- (c) sally young Eslinger 10/10/21 Thanks be to God ***NOTE: please don’t read this piece literally. I know the Bible says nothing about dead plants. As a poet, I wonder & ask ?’s. Oh, surely, God & heaven are open to imagination, even more so than our hearts.