By. A. Gagliardi

These Hydrangea on my table

sit in pale pink and green clusters;

each four-petal flowerette its own song of compatibility.

They crush together like people crowded

on a rush-hour commuter bus.

Freckles of flower sediment 

dust the chocolate table around the vase 

like  powdered sugar sprinkled on brownies.

The pale pink-to-green ribbon 

gathers itself into a knot on one side 

of the clear, glass vase

so you could imagine the ribbon holding the

bouquet suspended softly above the table.

Her coffee cup sits waiting 

on its folded white napkin

making the scene a still-life. 

Now, she returns 

with pen and notebook

and sits in thoughtful repose as the

lamp illuminates her face,

completing the picture for the artist.