ETIOLATED

jardin des joues

o cousin!
wherefore dost thou conceit thy tears a symbol of thy weakness?

for tears!
art april showers upon some staggering dusts of earth

they'll carve ravines and verdure avenues down thy rosy cheeks

and silique boulevards for thine emotions to release

and agaze!
let them imbue th'intertwining wicker chains

o'ivy and peruvian lily, mother nature hath endowed thee with

so that each time thou durst cry

blooming flowers in jewel-tones

and blossoming sprouts in ravishing blushes

will remind thee of the garden beneath thine eyes

and the supreme beauty thou doth possess

for tears!
o dearest coz, art thine eyes way of telling thee

to grow;

thou art abloom