Petals

Beth Orton

Petals pour from themselves in a synchronized swim
They'd been held to the stem as though holding their breath
Collectively they agree to exhale and be free
Now one after another they tumble silently
Oblivious to me
The ashes of last night
Sigh into a heap
Petals pour from themselves in a synchronized swim
I am woken in a moment as they break the air
Disintegrate integrate with resigned grace
Lining up to jump they remind me of tears
Sudden and many fall
I look to you
Your empty chair
And then I remember Why there's lilac in the air
My tears well up and cry for you
My tears well up and cry for you
My tears well up and cry for you
My tears well up and cry for you
There's wet in my hair and I never knew
My tears well up and cry for you
My tears well up and cry for you
My tears well up and cry for you
My tears
My tears
My tears
My tears
My tears
These are my tears
My tears, my tears
My tears