I tell my therapist

about planting marigold seeds

in my backyard

how while putting them

in the ground

I was thinking about my path

about my want to belong

and I began to wonder

if the seeds too

worry about their purpose

if they too strive to be seen

as beautiful by other flowers

or perhaps by the bees

my therapists says

that this is a nice image

but to remember I am different

than a flower

that it is ok to want

that I have a will

while a flower does not

but what if a flower

chooses to bloom

what if there is a will

wound up there

within the seed

what if every blossom we see

is a choice

a leaning in towards beauty

instead of an acceptance

of all that could wither

I like to think the flower

is blooming on purpose

for if it does

perhaps so can I

Alexander Shalom Joseph is an award-winning poet, writer and playwright from Gilpin County, and is the author of seven published books. You can find his work and more information about him at alexandershalomjoseph.com.