i love me not… i love me

A Submission by Elizabeth Adan

there are a lot of petals  
to pick off the chrysanthemum  
a lot of wishes  
whispered in the garden  
I hear me not // I hear me  
the spring secrets  
heavy  
in the hanging morning fog  
I trust me not // I trust me  
the strength within my bones  
compacts and stands taller today  
I treat myself with gentle hands  
dipped in almond oil  
I’ll keep this flower safe  
I love me not // I love me

featured art is“Everyone Needing Time” by Tyler Spangler