I find myself, again, in this untouchable meadow
but today she surrendered one of her own
Her stem, petals, and thorns fit so comfortably
in the curves and wrinkles of my hand
for whatever reason, I had to care
and even though She was wilting in front of me
to go unloved, no, we were meant to be shared
She contained this warmth that blanketed my chill
and soothed my ache
I’ve always been an island
but She didn’t seem to mind being lost at sea
what was it that made my body grow closer and tighter
so that it could protect Hers
or how Her sun was setting, yet She stayed in my arms until it was time
-Your blossom was real
-Your blossom was mine
alone again.
sentenced to solitude, though forever there is our memory
where briefly our lips met
and I found wholeness
a wholeness, which I do not have yet
-For Olivia
Jacob Raether is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying social welfare. This piece was featured in the 2014-’15 print edition of Souvenirs.