I pick the most beautiful flowers
from the side of the highway
it’s illegal, you know
and I spend hours arranging them into a bouquet
making sure the heights and colors go well together
and when I’m sure it’s perfect
I realize that I am hungry
a new kind of hungry
starving
and the tears that stream down my face
the gagging and stomach cramps
can’t stop me
from devouring each and every flower
and I’m so embarrassed
because I know you can smell them on my breath
no matter how much gum I chew
© 2012 Jene'e Patitucci