Flowers

She works in a coffee shop

that opens at 7 a.m.

maybe even earlier

all year long

winter and summer

One of her responsibilities

is to make sure

there are beautiful fresh flowers

one on every table

every single day

She’s petite

dark black hair and eyes

that often signal deep sadness

and hope

Maybe it’s a workplace mask

I’m not sure

High standards

people-pleasing tendencies

caring

putting everyone else’s needs above her own

Prefers tall men

I have no visibility into her journey

getting those flowers each night, or early morning

from a local market

carrying them to their final destination

I can only piece her journey together

in my imagination