scent of lillies

Scent of Lilies

You came to us that night. We did not see you. We walked along the roads, Our shoes scraping the street, Paved with gravel And slick with rain, The street light A sharp orange At the path’s corner. How could we know? How could we handle it? We, who were already so fragile, Who were already so broken? Whose hearts were full of anguish, And despair beyond expression, At the absence we knew, Yet could not understand. Ignorance covered our face, And blinded our eyesBut we knew, all at once, You were there. A spirit. A smell. Lilies and smiles, Fragrant and strong, Familiar on all levels.

Mary Caruthers

Class of 2024