Like So Many Roses

By

Radiance Angelina Petro

I go inside to find you, and a praying mantis appears,

turning its face towards me.

Your voice of many waters drenches my cells.

Your accent turns ordinary syllables into little songs.

If you must pour another day into my life,

spill the light and melody everywhere.

I would have given anything to be the wrappings

they adorned you with for your cremation.

How the smoke must have risen, like a black river

scented with sandalwood, how the flames must have risen, like

so many roses released into the sky.