MAGNOLIA

I tasted a Magnolia leaf today

my body urging through

the forceful rainstorm

disrupting early Spring,

toward the large tree

I trudged to show my friend

an up-close of the big life

of the glowing tree with

its black bark darkened by the rain,

and pink flowers

that fade into white

The Magnolia were like claws

that were slowly opening,

some of its fingers resting

on the grass and dirt

beneath the tree

“You know magnolia leaves

are edible?”

I was immediately drawn

to the impulse

of trying out the taste

of its succulence,

and as I found, for myself,

a piece of the pink,

almost slipping the soft peddle

into my jacket pocket for later—

almost embarrassed, or shy,

of being seen eating the leaf

after plucking it from the tree.

I took a soft bite anyway

Its flavor, its spice immediately

broke off into my mouth

and settled into my tongue

with an ease and taste

that surprised me

“Mm! What the fuck?!”

Jessica giggled

on our FaceTime call,

huddled on her couch,

as I expelled my excitement

after eating the flower

I jolted my pelvis down the yard

to get to the bus stop, winded,

my rib cages breathing in magnolia,

in the wild rain