gladiolus
he likened me to a flower as he sought to win my heart I was to him soft and delicate with a fragrance reminiscent of heaven chuckling softly, I asked if all women were flowers with light, silky petals and musky scents but what of a rose I asked her thorns draw blood if enemies attack and what of the gladiolus her vertical blooms embodying the sword wielded by the warrior’s will and what of jewelweed or stinging nettle larkspur, and nightshade all beautiful, but deadly no harm intended unless disturbed will you still liken me to a flower I asked his silence, now that you see all the power a delicate bloom may wield