The Asian Irises blossomed a week ago,
just in time for my mother’s birthday.
I remember thinking she would have loved
their colors as much as I do. Each day,
when I walk down to the bottom of the hill
to fetch my mail, I stop to gaze at them.
Yesterday, I was stunned to see nothing
where they stood only the day before.
Vanished. Every. Single. One. Not a petal
remained, even on the ground. Yet,
not a stem or leaf was broken or cut.
The blooms were simply lifted upward
and carried away. I have no explanation.
But wherever they went, a piece of my heart
went with them.