The Yellow Magnolias Poem by RIC BASTASA

and in keeping
yellow magnolias alive
for more dark nights
amid some
unexpected storm
we do not grown them
in our pockets

in the garden
amidst the wooden fences
we attempt
to keep them forever

only the heart knows
what real keeping is
there are no roots
neither
buds and leaves
but my yellow magnolias
live there
forever

did you not say once
before
that eventual leaving
that it is only
really the
thought that matters
most?

i know
you keep telling me
magnolias are
always white

and you never believe
my yellow ones