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evergreens on their sides outside in January

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the same week lilies already
stalks like flags

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that i saw you in new york and you pretended it wasn’t me

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packs of strawberries on the mud stands near fresno

my nose restores each texture of a rose
for later use I say
you never know when you’ll need
a rose

I’ve certainly had to use one
in an emergency
in New York
no money
no heart
no will

And if I pulled a rose then
I could have said
I saw you and smiled and
walked away

Margaret Kruszewska©2005