Flowering Benedictions

by Kellie Brown

FLOWERING BENEDICTIONS

for my grandmother, Hazel Jordan Dubel

I wander alone through a hazy

dream garden, hopeful yet unsure. 

I recognize the glorious gladioli

that bloomed at our former home.

But as I reach to touch velvet

pink petals, they dissolve

as ghosts into mist. And borne

on the breath of an unbidden

zephyr, a fresh vignette presents.

How surprising is her appearance,

my grandmother, seated on a bench.

Behind her tower airplane plants as

once graced the walkway to her door.

I join in hushed communion

on this now hallowed pew,

and marvel how two decades have passed

since she flew to heavenly realms.

At an age she never knew me, I meet

her tender gaze, then find myself

unburdened, tumbling out of time.

As Alice down the rabbit hole,

my feet and hands grow small.

I am that little girl again,

traversing a flowered aisle.

With her grandmother arms she greets me

and bestows a holy kiss. Then speaks

a blessing, both simple and sure—

“Bloom, dear child, bloom.”

KELLIE BROWN

Dr. Kellie Brown is a violinist, conductor, music educator, poet, and award-winning writer of the book The Sound of Hope: Music as Solace, Resistance, and Salvation during the Holocaust and World War II. Her words have appeared in The Galway Review, Earth & Altar, Amethyst Review, Psaltery & Lyre, Still, The Primer, Writerly, and others. More information about her and her writing can be found at www.kelliedbrown.com.