Poem: Pink Sweet Peas, 1927, pastel Georgia O’Keeffe

Most delicate of delicate petaling,
ruffled white chiffon tinged at the ends
with mango-rose,
a hint of spring green within,
but what is the point of such thin
fluttering, such pastel persuasion?

Like the bride on her wedding day
in her fabulous float to the altar.
Later there is always someone
who will step on her dress,
lean too close with his beer,
speak of something best left forgotten.

This article appears in August 2009.