Roommate

Roommate
By Tatiana Pahlen

An unexpected, buoyant call
Woke me from a daydream:
"Miss Pahlen? This is the florist shop
What time may we come in?
We hold a gift from a fan of yours
For you as a surprise.
From twelve'til six would be all right?"
My answer was — "Of course."
The clock on the wall reads — ten to twelve —
Shall I miss this sunny day?
The last autumn's splash before winter spell,
Why did I promise to stay?
At home I lingered from twelve'til six,
Gazing at the trees;
They waved at me with slim shabby sleeves,
Shedding yellow-reddish leaves
I marveled at their motley dresses
And blew them a torrid kiss.
Endowment met me in the end,
When my vibrant friend arrived,
I saw a huge exotic brand;
It grabbed my heart and mind.
"Cymbidium Culture," it whispered its name
Breathing in my ears.
Its pedigree was as lengthy as mine
It came with fifteen pages:
What corner, wall or light it likes,
How to feed it at its age.
It spreads a graceful, stately look
Me kneeling in respect;
The giant settled its lumpy root
In the estimable place.
Since, I've received this blooming mate,
A smile brightens my face!