Looking Back

When I think
of all that had to happen
to constellate this moment

in which I stand
beside the road
to cut a bouquet

from the lilac bush,
I almost weep
overcome by the pure

purple sweet of it all,
how perfect, how
unlikely it all is—

from the star exploding
to the first simple creature
pulling itself out of the sea

to the seed being planted
before my parents met
to the woman who is me

finding her way
to the shoulder of highway 145
where the sun has just set

and the bushes are heavy
with honest perfume
and the air is still warm

and the stars are just
beginning to show
their old light.

~ Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Learn more about this lovely poet here.