I stare into the center of the hollyhock blossom and am caught unawares
I already knew that it was beautiful
with its blazing color
and
its feathery grace flowing
its length and breadth swaying
with subtlety and nuance
And I had long ago marveled
at
the joy it brought
how it connected me to
the man
who walked along roadsides
in a state miles away
gathering colored joy
in his pockets
And how I wanted that
delight
to grow in my garden
and
for my boys
to be dwarfed by
its
beauty
and comforted
by its
humming
These things
I knew
But it was
the
outstretched hands
inside
with rays of light
pulsing
that
gripped me
This...
this is what pulls me
I gasp
this star shaped center
almost hidden
but still brilliant
This is what it has always been
And so I wonder
when people turn their heads
and gaze
at
all that is me
what do they
already know?
what has it always been?
