Arrangements I practice ikebana, clumsy and shy as I pour over a foxed copy of the Saga School style gifted to me by my friend, along with her grandmother’s bowl. Afterwards, there are always wilting blossoms, leaves and half-stems left behind, sliced to fit mori-bana (piled-up flower) or hei-ka (bottle-flower). The scissors’ rough edge that I keep forgetting to sharpen, the drops of water beading on the waxed table and this remnant greenery become as much offering as the arrangement. How easy to look at this and forget what it took to grow into a flower, however briefly blooming.
Faith Allington is a writer, gardener and lover of mystery parties who resides in Seattle. Her work is forthcoming or has previously appeared in various literary journals, including Bowery Gothic, FERAL, Cosmic Daffodil, Gold Man Review and Crab Creek Review.
Amethyst Review 