Sometimes Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

Sometimes the verdant beauty of the world
Survives the curse of bitter tasting fruit.
Sometimes it crushes heart and flowers kind,
As feet of love transform to feet of death.

I waited for you in the noonday sun
While watching Poinciana blossoms fall
Their fiery gold and orange rain profuse
Bathed parching earth with welcome shade

Observing blooms and flowers was my game
Each little star that peeked out from the grass
So lovely, petals, tints and blades unique
Their little faces looked at me with smiles.

Then suddenly a burnished car arrived
It skidded, broke the silence of the air.
The dark haired driver's silhouette intense,
My heart and throat now twisted in a knot

You did not smile and only tipped your head.
What had I done to make you so upset?
Your words were angry. Was it jealousy?
Had I been kind to someone else, not you?

As I rejoiced in Poinciana blooms
And flowers wild or tame that graced the grass
I celebrated people, children, pets
And often smiled and told them so.

Too late I learned that love is stronger still
Than all the blossoms of the world combined,
Far darker than the milk of indigo,
Its searing heat turns Poincianas pale.

You spoke a few quick words, I answered too.
And then in summer's dust you disappeared.
I quickly ran to flame tree's sheltered cool
Then sinking down, my sobs flowed harsh and deep.

Eternity had bathed my swollen eyes
When finally I focused on that spot
No burnished car, no torrid burnished lips
Were there, nor would they ever be again.

Oh Poincianas, daisies, petals fine
Come now and comfort me as you once did
You gave me joy and reason to go on
Till love's dark mantle choked my childlike call.

Fair spring is peeking through my soul again.
When will the flame tree's riot light the day?
When will those daisies rise from death again,
The ones I trampled when I ran away?

There is a time to kiss the rising dawn
To sanctify all vivid sunsets dear
And run with bare toes filled with youthful joy
With tingling fingers touch a brook so clear.

A time will come, yes, it is etched in stone.
When petals, blossoms will no longer quench
A subterranean longing never named.
No one escapes it. All must fall.

Sometimes the verdant beauty of the world
Survives that curse of bitter tasting fruit
Sometimes it crushes heart and flowers kind
As feet of love transform to feet of death.