Violets (After William Fuller)

Let me continue by saying here, despite obvious advances to the contrary, that the obvious answer to the obvious question is obvious and that no amount of arguing about it, despite a so called difference of opinion, is going to get anyone anywhere and I don’t care what the so called Michigan expert (just because he’s from Michigan doesn’t make him any brighter than anyone else) has to say on the subject and beside that, he wasn’t even here when the debate began besides which I understand (and this may not be true) he may have six toes, counting his big toe, on his left foot, though nobody, to my knowledge, has verified that and he, as I understand it, never takes his shoes off in public (and who can blame him for that?) unless absolutely necessary and the necessity has never yet become —let’s say evident, or maybe a better word would be—I can’t really think of a better word offhand, but that’s beside the point—the point is—I forgot what the point was; I guess I got off the subject—I tend to do that now and then. Oh yes, the discussion was about whether roses or violets were appropriate to wear at state funerals. As I previously said, I favor violets myself, and of course, as any fool can tell you, violets are the correct flower to wear. Why on earth would anyone in his or her right mind, want to wear roses? Let’s face it, the whole idea is ridiculous.

---

Joseph Buehler has published over 130 poems in the US and abroad.  He lives in Georgia with his wife, Trish.