ten ways of looking at a daisy
I.
on the ear
of a little girl
the stem covered by her hair
II.
in the hands
of a grown woman
the last petal falling
as she says
"he loves me"
III.
in the garden
of an old lady
who tends to it
each morning
IV.
in a vase
on a table
near a man
V.
in the soil
blocked by grass
its petals
not yet showing
VI.
in a painting
on a canvas
hung on a wall
near the closet
VII.
on the grave
of a woman
who said
it was her favorite
VIII.
in the jacket
of a man
who stands and waits
for his beautiful bride
IX.
crushed to bits
on a sidewalk
by the feet
of passing folk
X.
drooping sadly
its petals now gone
--leah
