more goodbyes today,
this time the petals
of the yellow roses
adorning her casket
the ones I rescued from
the graveside for fear
the deer would eat them
instead bringing them
home to make potpourri
but never opening the
lid, finally pulling the
red Russell Stover
chocolate Valentine tin
from the top shelf of
the closet, opening the
lid, taking in the
faded scents of
New Year’s Eve 2015
the day of her funeral
a last day of a year
a last day of a lifetime
a day, June 13, 2024
to say goodbye to
the flowers I’ve kept
for so long
I scattered them at
the edge of the wood
where the tragedy
happened with the
squirrel so the flowers
recycled to another
farewell and will
live on in this red
clay pine tree forest
forever
Common Threads 
My sympathies, Kim, as you continue to process your grief. It’s never over, but changes over time, as the petals did. I’m glad you were able to write about it.
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Thank you, Margaret. Yes, 8 1/2 years later and Iām still processing. Hugs for you too, friend!
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Mim,
I know this letting go of those petals had to have been hard. You gave them the perfect resting place. hugs
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Thank you, Glenda. It seems I let go in waves over time.
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Kim, what a powerful piece. I’m so glad the flower petals were another goodbye in the string of goodbyes you’ve had to say these last years. I appreciate that you had a special place to place the petals where they “will / live on in this red / clay pine tree forest”
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