Kiss From a Rose on the Grey
written by: Jackie Chou
“Love remained a drug that’s the high and not the pill”- Seal
I. Agapanthus
“What are those flowers called?”
I asked Maribel, who was taking a stroll around the Care Home.
Those purple heads of trumpet flowers nodded at me in the summer breeze.
“They’re called Agapanthus,” said Maribel, halting her steps.
“Thank you,” I said, forcing a smile on my face.
II. Taking Photos of Roses
I lowered my camera to take a close-up of a yellow rose.
Soon, the entire roll of film was gone.
I took it to a photo shop to develop it. The owner said I should take a photography class to improve my shots.
I was thirty. The last thing I wanted to do was to take a class at an adult school.
The whole world passed me by as I wrote an email about my failed floral photos to Paul, my brother in Christ.
“It’s all right.” He wrote back.
“Send me the pictures. I will use them for the next book I publish.”
Paul always had a way to redeem me.
III. A Bouquet of Roses
First week of college. A bouquet of roses from Andy, my admirer from high school, who was still pursuing me.
“So what are you going to do with an English major?”
My suite mate asked me. I shrugged and walked away.
“What do you aspire to be when you grow up?”
My eighth-grade English teacher asked the class.
“I’d like to be popular,” I said.
The roses Andy gave me dried up and wafted a scent as sweet and intoxicating as wine.
I crushed them and put them into a potpourri another suitor gave me.
Their fragrance remained strong inside the glass jar.
IV. A Single Synthetic Rose
This mask I put on is only a facade. These upturned lips of comedy.
- Kiss From a Rose on the Grey - May 9, 2026
- Death - January 3, 2026
- Where I’m From - September 10, 2025
