a.k.a. Helichrysum cymosum—
the flowers give a scent of honey,
the leaves lemon soap.
Heaven is a tight corner,
in my backyard—
between bricks
and copper piping, God
is a volunteer. Helichrysum,
I believe, denotes sun of gold.
Pruning means blooming.
And sometimes prayers
are two-way secateurs.
One of these days,
drained away,
I think I won’t have hands.
Linda Ann Strang’s collections are Star Reverse (Dryad) and Wedding Underwear for Mermaids (Honest). Her poems have appeared in Hollins Critic, Hunger Mountain, The Malahat Review, Lily Poetry Review, JMWW, and many other fine journals.
Photo from HortWeek.
