Flower

All flower metaphors
Have been written to death
And on their death beds
I undertake
This last cleverness.

All flower metaphors
Have been used
And abused
And in their defence
(And that of the greeting card companies)
I make
This last attempt.

All flower metaphors
Profound roses and aristocratic tulips
And common chrysanthemums; in short
All flower metaphors that are, were, and will be
Are wilting and in a desperate bid to stop the decay
I break my time honoured oath
Never to write about flowers
Or flower metaphors
Or both.