Flung Vase
By Ellen Elder
I recall laughter
the moment he threw it.
The vase was pressed crystal
and not of any value,
from somewhere off the Danube.
Cut flowers wilt.
Cut flowers will
always be an industry of death
to me. Holland
is Europe’s largest exporter.
Here, across the border,
one can buy a dozen roses
for 8 Euros. They come denuded
of thorns.
Come to think of it,
how tedious to saw
through, say, a sunflower’s
stalk,
or to slap back,
which was a blessing of sorts.
