This is one example of how a seemingly unrelated work adds color to text.
Years ago I wrote a poem about myself as a flower. Since I was in Orleans, France taking a poetry class, it was written in French. The poem makes a lovely tribute to my younger sister who died of a heroin overdose several years ago. She was known for her long, beautiful, blond hair.
le fleur
Je suis devenue une fleur jaune comme le soleil. Mes peids se sont changes en racines sous la terre. Mes cheveux ont disparu et des petales jaunes ont pris leur place. Une grande tige, solide et verte, a remplacer mes jambes. Du pollen sucre recouvre mon visage. De jolis oiseaux ont chante pour moi et les papillons me couvrent avec du bouche-a-bouche.
The Flower
I turned into a flower, yellow like the sun. My feet became roots under the earth. My hair disappeared and yellow petals took its place. A tall stem, solid and green, replaced my legs. Sweet pollen covered my face. Pretty birds sang to me and butterflies covered me with kisses.
I plan to include it in a memorial for my sister to be published in an upcoming newsletter for Child Healthcare is a Legal Duty. It will also be featured at the beginning of a chapter of No Place Like Home.
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