The Lost Flower Poem by Ciarán Kelly

One day I planted you in the thick undergrowth
And then I left you there alone as a seedling
To face the elements

I always wondered how you blossomed
Often feared for your safety
I thought of how lovely it would have been to return
to see you sway in the summer breeze
To watch you from afar
Each day

To protect you from bush fires, wild animals or hurricanes
Or even pluck you and take you back with me
But you have a new home now
And are probably very happy there

You could do without intrusions from the likes of me
Trying to uproot you
And make up for all that lost time
That precious time never to be shared again

Onward I roam constantly
The time slipping away with each passing breath
With the might-have-been dangling everywhere before me
In the hope that some day our paths may cross
And you will forgive me.