Iris Hollandica in a Tyrolean Botanical Garden

I walk among the white flowers and I see myself in them.
I walk among the white flowers and see my
mothers nieces sisters in them.
out of the crack in the broken brick
a bud appears, iris hollandica
dripping with tears,
looking down on fallen figures littering the ground.
yet it blooms.
yet it blooms.

whispers of children pull me forward
toward a white wall in fertile coffee ground sprawling
iris hollandica, petals split three ways
moonlit womb exposed to the imposing
picking petals in pockets without question
yet it blooms.
yet it blooms.

built on the backs of iris hollandica returned to coffee ground
built on the backs of satin bedsheets and hollowed out bones
larkspur spines, stark against the sand
medicinal leaves heal viruses and sore irises
she smells like fresh mint and abstraction
the soft breeze paints her petals with attraction
but greedy fingers grab and grip, rip and the white is stained with soil and ants and time
yet it bloomed.
yet it bloomed.

By Hailey McMichael

Biography:

Hailey McMichael is a current senior at Muhlenberg College, studying English and Dance with a passion for creation through choreography and poetry. She hopes to continue to work in a creative field post-graduation, as well as moving into the field of education. Hailey has lived in many different states around the country, and continues to travel in search of truths… and she continually finds her heart searching for more stories to share. Her Instagram is @haileyj16