Orchids in a glass bowl
(the pretentious suitor)
by Michelle Rogge Gannon, University of South Dakota
- He asked, “Do you
Think that I—that I—
Would have artificial flowers?”
She was silent. Then:
- “My mistake. They seemed—
Too lovely to be real.”
She added, “But everything
Else I’ve said holds true.”
She collected her beaded purse,
Along with the white lace shawl
From the hall closet (both
Gifts from him). Then:
- One last look at the fifth
Course of a six-course
Meal on fine porcelain
Plates with chargers, at the elegant
Man who might have offered the final
Course. Even as she
Thought of it, her stomach
Expanded, as if to insist that she
Still had room. Then:
- “Wait, he said. He plucked
Just the right orchid, positioning the bloom,
Pale cream against her coffee curls.
“Perfectly delectable,” he said.
At home, later, in the boarding
House where she lived, the pestering
Child in the room next door was inventing
Waltzes, wearing a whitish shawl-dress,
Beaded bag swinging (some beads gone now),
Wilted orchid flopping in her tangled
Little-girl locks.
Note: The inspiration for this poem was a painting by Leah Drews, Orchids in Glass Bowl. The artist is the poet’s sister.
