The Siege








On the day we accepted
your declaration of war,
Helen threw flowers
into the arena--
blood red poppies,
anemones of palest yellow,
one white rose,
flawless save for a slight tinge

of decay impinging

at petal’s edge.
You had already drawn your bow
awaiting the order to fire at will,
never once questioning
whose will held the power
to negate your own,
never once questioning
until Helen threw flowers.

(Image: Almond Blossoms; Van Gogh, 1890)