Cactus Nights

The night-blooming cereus came out before midnight; next year it returned.

My night-blooming cereus, I held a watch party just for you,
seeing you climb the trellis, with your scalloped edges swelling.
I saw your thick inner blossom, your thinner outer petals
pale above the deep, water-filled green
of your central self.
You came like a summer spirit
on a wet mild night in June;
wished me so long mid-morning
and promised "next year."

https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-night-blooming-cereus-5186687