the apology bouquet of flowers

as i stand in Trader

Joe's

staring at the buckets

of beautiful

flowers lined up against

the wall near

the meat section,

and assorted nuts,

i think

about all the money i've

spent throughout

the years

on flowers,

roses,

white, red,

pink,

carnations and small potted

plants.

assorted bouquets.

random combinations

of petunias and daffodils,

wrapped in

plastic

with a packet of flower

food under

the rubber band.

it was all in

the attempt to apologize

to some girlfriend,

or wife

for some harm

i've caused.

either i've forgotten

an anniversary, or a birthday,

or neglected to tell

her that she

looks nice

going from brunette

to blonde, or

it was something that i said,

which seemed to be

the leading cause.

don't even get me started on

Hallmark Cards.