Unexpected Glorious

Navaris Darson

His friend reads the directions written

in broken English, and she tells us they

promise “unexpected glorious.”

We sit, side by side, on her floral

love seat—too small and cozy

to be a couch.

We are nestled, our legs touching,

as we pull apart sheets of tissue.

These Chinese paper flowers

do not blossom as easily

as one might assume.

But we make a good team.

He is better than me

at tying the string that

holds everything together.

I am better at shaping them;

my flowers—though not perfect

are more pleasing in their aesthetic.

His flowers could be as pretty as mine;

perhaps better, but he gives up too soon.

I glance at him as I take my time,

knowing it will be worth it

to put in the work and to wait—

That, with time and care,

something not fully formed

might become something glorious

when I least expect it.

November 16, 2019