Into the Garden

ON VAN GOGH'S IRISES,
OR, INTO THE GARDEN

From the moment I step into the garden
I am awash in flowers
Reaching for my hand and comfort
Almost straining out of the ground
Hold me, they say
Know me
Feel my light against your skin
The velvet of my touch
I choose one
And place it behind my ear
One blue iris starring my orange hair
Still the leaves, like writhing souls
Call to me, caress me
Come, they say
Come amongst us
Be one of us
Disguised by my iris I almost feel I could join them
They are taller even than I
And I could shrink amongst them
And join the flurried canvas of the dirt