by Maria Barrett, New Orleans Writer & Poet

around me I need stacks of books

and flowers

they ease and calm me

familiar and new at the same time

I realized

when I travel

I inadvertently create this scenario 

over and over 

The first stop is always 

at least a Benny

at a local bookshop 

And I always pinch a glass 

or find a flea market for a vase 

for the flowers 

I will also pinch 

on a walk

from a neighboring garden