Unwrap this precious day
attentively,
smooth out every
star-shaped dazzling leaf
that lays itself
against the painted sky
and languid,
catches sunlight on its face.
Then gently unfold
each velvet petal
of the scarlet rose
who sticks its head
so curious and aware,
through slats of garden fence.
Let violet agapanthus
come undone,
long tangled ribbons
tied around the afternoon.
Then look inside
this gift,
this box of lustrous light
and let the hummingbirds
escape to hover
round your throat-
like gold flecked beads
of lapis or perhaps,
a strand of
ancient malachite.

Johanna Ely is Benicia’s newest poet laureate. The above poem was written by her in 2015.

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