For Gail

Come with me to a Texas meadow in the spring
and take in the sight of
yellow Agarita, white/green Milkweed, purple Asta.
Rest your eyes on the gorgeous Bluebonnets
with leaves the shape of thimbles
and the creamy orange Indian Paint Brush,
honoring Spanish botanists.
Shall we call the myriads of beautiful flowers our friends?
Some we gaze at from a distance,
some we pluck and press in a book,
some we bind into a bouquet,
from others we collect the seeds.
Their colors bewitch us,
their fragrance pleases our noses
but only one flower is picked
and gathered to the heart.