Still

I clipped and tossed

The iris stalk

Into bin before

I saw the bud on the stem,

It was a careless move

And I pressed lid

Of container down

Tight, annoyed at myself.

Days later I unsealed trash

To discard more garden

Debris, and I saw

A beautiful violet and cream

Ruffled iris, fully opened

Lying on refuse in the dark

Laura Stickney 2020

Notes:

photograph of iris by Laura Stickney