Bloom.

(1)

Once upon a time, I chose the most beautiful roses and watched them wilt in my blood-cached hands. But you’ve shown me how to pick the rose without getting stung by the thorn. You’ve made me fall in love with the color red.

(2)

It’s always been safer not to think about it— that spot where ocean meets sky and lavender spills from the heavens. Flowered places have never been for me. But then you showed up. Now, lavender grows in my marrow, roses in my lungs, and sunflowers in my belly. For the first time in a long time, I’m in bloom.