the names of flowers

I didn’t learn the names of flowers

until I was 30.

I didn’t assign flowers the correct names

until I learned more about their

specific shape

their petals

the thick, fuzzy stalks that they

grew on.

I didn’t learn that a zinnia grows

within itself

tiny flowers around it’s center.

I didn’t learn that the sunflower

came with a yellow middle, too.

I didn’t learn the spelling of the word

lisianthus

until I saw it wild, producing bunches

on a single stalk

delicate and strong

at the same time.

I didn’t learn about myself

until I learned the names

of flowers.