Funeral Arrangements

Thanks for the flowers, dear,

but tulips are my favorite.

I like the orange ones, and I’ll

take them on the dinner table.

I can’t smell them, but that’s

the best part. Please don’t take

offense if I don’t bury my face

in these that you’ve carefully

selected. Daffodils and daisies

curl up and die, their scents

dissolving into wheelchairs and

bandages. So if it’s okay with you,

my dear, I’m going to throw

these ones away. My home is not

a graveyard; my table will not

be a symbol of the dead.

But should you want to flatter me

again, I’d love some tulips, please.