WHEN I RETURN
I will slowly be unfolding
like a blooming rose bud,
and then I’ll be emerging
from the comfort of my
snuffbox bean before I will
flower into a tropical liana.
My final transformation
will take place in the Big Easy
where every day is a celebration,
even those exciting days parading
all over town with the best trumpet
renditions of the Basin Street Blues
sounding the affirmation of another
life coming to an end.