Sexual Blossoms and Their Fierce Addictions

Yesterday's tulips in the crystal bowl
have begun to open, and already they've
partially exposed their pistils and stamens.
In the coming days
these petals will open in a brazen
yawn, their private parts thrust
into the shocked and fascinated
room. Very soon the whole
apartment will start to misbehave—
the fainting couch and ottoman will shed their raiment,
weirdness will graze the ceiling and raise
eyebrows in the carpet lice. With sex emblazoned
on the air, the afflicted chamber will swell with lust.
A hystericalectomy is clearly indicated.

Copyright © 2006 Sidney Wade All rights reserved
from The Gettysburg Review
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission