When I was in third grade, I was in my first play:
The Flower Town Ball.

We were all cast as different flowers with suitable
colorful personalities. After reading

out the cast list, my teacher realized she forgot
to give me a part. “Oh no!” she cried.

“There is another flower for you.”
She scrambled through her mental garden.

I’m not sure what I said but I know
I blushed. I remember the heat as it filled me.

My head drooping. Color deepening.
Arms wilting over a hungry heart.