by Mathieu Cailler
the moonflower cactus
(known properly as Selenicereus wittii)
produces a single blossom
(a snowy bloom)
once a year for only a day
(sometimes less)
deep in the rainforest the only witnesses
surrounding bark and damp earth
(maybe a toad or two)
this cactus unfolds its petals, showcases its stamens
and pistils when ready
this plant
sings for itself
About the author:
Mathieu Cailler is the author of six books. His short stories, poems, and essays have appeared in numerous national and international publications, most notably in The Saturday Evening Post and the Los Angeles Times. He is the recipient of a Shakespeare Award, a Short Story America Prize, and a New England Book Festival Award. Heaven and Other Zip Codes, his debut novel and most recently published book, has been hailed “a postmodern masterpiece” by Midwest Book Review and was named the winner of the 2021 Los Angeles Book Festival.
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