If under the umbrella of a flower
you should find a pair of feet
kiss a petal to ease
the creature’s shyness.

Offer your pinkie to hold
and walk it to your hallway
where the ants have broken off
their wings.

Look away while it chooses
a few pieces with which to fly back home.

If a match is made,
your hairs will prickle
with a chirp that only your soul can hear.

The creature is offering you
one breath to name anything
so ask of it
to call pain ‘pleasure’
or to christen death ‘life’—
a chance you may never again come by
to nod as the doctor says it's time
and smile as people come up to you
to tell you you're strong.