Phibby Venable

Let me hold your hands and kindle your lungs
with the softest whisper of jasmine
The first face of a hollyhock is your face
blushing pink and lavender along the drive
The lilies are anxious - their roots in knots
and watching for your hands near their bloom
We are all busy renaming you with the breath
of Spring,
We are remembering the petals of your kindnesses
that have fallen in our hard soil
to stroke us to a growth of beauty
We are missing the bright sun of your smile
in the gardens of our lives where you step
with encouragement among weeds
with your bold water can
Poppy, you are golden and the sun loves you
Any moment your lungs will leap to awareness
and resume their large capacity
Any moment you will exhale as well and flower
in the wide majesty of your world
Let me hold your hands and kindle your lungs
with the kiss of a southern moon
Be well little magnolia _ we are all missing you