Here’s Stephanie’s poem “Blaze of Yellow”, published in the 2022 issue of Florence Poets Society’s journal Silkworm:
Blaze of Yellow The bearded irises in full bloom announce your birth on a steamy June morning Planted a century ago these descendants hug the fieldstone foundation of this grande dame We’re moving-on my knees with trowel in hand green bucket by my side I wrench from the dirt the sturdiest irises– how can I leave them behind? In the new backyard they languish in the pail until spring As I scan the scarred site of our new home– still under construction–my hope for their survival withers along with their shriveled root hairs In March I gather rocks purchase compost and soil in the shelter of tall pines as old as these orphaned irises prepare a new garden The following weekend your two-year-old hands reach with mine to tuck them into soft soil At the edge of the moon-shaped bed a blaze of yellow will rise
Links to Stephanie’s recently published writing include: