Love Poem: Where Do the Flowers Go In Winter Part Two
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Written by: Fritz Purdum

Where Do the Flowers Go In Winter Part Two

(continued from Where do the Flowers go in Winter  Part One)

We buried her today
                             In early March
Winter is almost over
The ground is hard
So was my heart
Everyone dressed in black
                           Black
                                  Why Black?
I wanted to wear
                         Well
                                                    Orange
                                                             Yes
                                                                 Orange
When I was eleven
I got a part in the school play
"Mom! Mom!  I'm going to be an Orange
Mom! an Orange!"
I got the part I'll need you to make my costume!"
                          "I don't have time
                              You're in my way
                                                       Go outside
You really don't want to be in the play
It's stupid
I don't want my son to play a fruit
                                                  a fruit
You want to be an Orange?  You're in the sixth grade
Big boys don't play oranges.  It's dumb
                                                         Your dumb
Tell Mrs. Wilson no.  Tell her no..."

They covered her up
I placed a white rose upon her grave
                 We went home.

No dinner
              I was hungry
But I could not bring myself to eat
For all others were in grief
I went into her room and sat in her chair
I listen through the walls,  words of sadness I hear
They told loving stories of this woman
How caring passionate kind she was
How she was an asset to the community
How well she raised her children
Three fine girls and a son

And a son
              How appropriate
Just
              And a son, not a fine son
How could he be a fine son?
She's been dead for four days
And not one drop of water has left his two eyes
My father placed his hand on my shoulder
"Son I know how hard your taking this..."

"I never wanted children!
                                    Your Father did
He told me he would adopt
                                       Adopt!
Good God rest my soul
So I consented
Three girls, a boy, then you
My family was complete
Four children.  You had a brother
If he didn't die.  If he was alive
I wouldn't of had you


                                (continued on Where do the Flowers go in Winter Part Three)