Floristry

Carefully I choose the words I say,
as florists select flowers for their prize display.

In the centre, standing out,
tall stems of kindness, ringed about with
blossoms of compassion.

Then, quite against the fashion of the age
a deck of intertwining loyalty, the stage
on which the subtle flowers of wisdom sit,
and, under it, for all to see,
a foliage of constancy,
both soft and
evergreen.

“Less is more” they say
(as true of poetry as flower bouquet)
and so, with just a further word or two,
like “Thank you” or an “I love you”,
I tie a ribbon round it all and, quietly,

announce that this reflects
how beautiful
you look
to me.