Three Poems

Saintpaulia ballerina

Because we can’t
write this poem
together, you and I,
who didn’t like
each other,   
I must write it
for you – who
will never read it.
I have, you know,
your flower.
It brings
an obligation
you couldn’t have
foreseen.
I took it    
as a peace offering
after that stormy
end-of-semester.
You handed it to me
...