The Flowers For The Dead.....(Flores Para Los Muertos) Poem by RIC BASTASA

i have written with
so much sincerity and you know that.

it need not be the kind of open sincerity
for this can be veiled with the flowers of
your poetry.

flowers on your hair, flowers on your ears,
and flowers on your breasts.

flowers on your feet and flowers in your hands.
and then the truest sincerity has come.

i shall write with all sincerity then.
flowers in your grave, flowers around the vessel
of your ash.

i shall offer all my prayers.
i miss you and you shall never be back.

flowers in my dreams, flowers in my sleep.
flowers in my bed.

such is the sincerity of my love for you.
and i shall never believe that you
never loved me even for once
in the lifetime that we share.