My rib cage aches for the daffodils
who refuse to bloom in dark places.
They weep for pollen to dust their bones.
And when a kernel of sunshine alights
my veins and nourishes those seeds deep within-
long buried inside that iron chest of pain…
I swallow those amber flames, the strangest
sea. Flaming embers that pierce
my skin like bumblebees.
I inhale.
Deep insidious breaths.
Cooling their tempers with that tepid smoke.
And finally feel the bouquet of daffodils
soften the strongest of wills.