Peace Lilies by Cathy Smith Bowers

Peace Lilies by Cathy Smith Bowers
(In Arrangemnet with Poetry Foundation)


I collect them now, it seems. Like
sea-shells or old
thimbles. One for
Father. One for

Mother. Two for my sweet brothers.
Odd how little
they require of
me. Unlike the

ones they were sent in memory
of. No sudden
shrilling of the
phone. No harried

midnight flights. Only a little
water now and
then. Scant food and
light. See how I’ve

brought them all together here in
this shaded space
beyond the stairs.
Even when they

thirst, they summon me with nothing
more than a soft,
indifferent furl-
ing of their leaves.
 
Author's Bio: Cathy Smith Bowers was recently appointed poet laureate of North Carolina, and I (Ted Kooser, US, Poetry Foundation) want to celebrate her appointment by showing you one of her lovely poems, a peaceful poem about a peaceful thing.