Anniversary

Say it with Flowers

By: Charles Giuliano - Sep 17, 2015

Anniversary

The zinnias this summer
Have been sensational
Wonders of symmetry
Complex geometry
Bursting with color
Astrid like her mother
Masterful floral arrangements
Always inventive
With weeds and wild grass
Years ago in East Boston
On Wednesdays
Before evening classes
Commute to Lowell
Always bought a bouquet
Asian flower stand
T-stop at Arlington St.
Glances from women
On the Blue Line
That knowing look
Such a nice man
Taking home flowers
Running gag
Knock on the door
Bouquet thrust through
Surprise that wasn’t
Until the week I forgot
Or the anniversaries
That lapsed
Like the one this weekend
She reminded me
Making plans
I asked how many
It seems eighteen
That September 19
A Saturday like this year
In our back yard
Under the apple tree
Plus a few years of
Living in sin
When I charged rent
For a room of one’s own
In our three decker
Before we got hitched
Which nixed that
Saying it with flowers
Doesn’t always work
Now I buy them at
Big Y during the
Dead of winter
Bleak in the Berkshires
A bit of color
To brighten the loft
And our lives
Now decades on