Poetry by Brian Christopher Giddens
If I were to be granted reincarnation,
and the powers that be asked my opinion,
I’d choose to return as a Zinnia.
The flower dazzles in late summer,
when the earlier blooms are on life
support, parched and fading. The stem
stands tall and sturdy, not easily swayed
by a late season rainstorm. And the burst
of primary colors, whether orange, purple
or the sunniest of yellows, demand applause
from even the most cynical of gardeners.
Yes, bring me back as a Zinnia. Grace
me with a short, but brilliant life.
Brian Christopher Giddens writes fiction and poetry from his home in Seattle, where he lives with his husband, and Jasper the dog. Brian’s writing has been featured in The New York Times (Tiny Love Stories), Passager, The Bluebird Word, Rabble Review, Hyacinth Review, Roi Faineant, Amazine, Glimpse, and other publications.
