mystery flower

I have no idea what it is! (But I did meet it face to face in the Conservatory)

papaya

when I saw you
laid open to the air

I never asked
who had cut you
or with what instrument

I knew
that you were ready
to let go those glowing
dark seeds
out of your belly

gently, with caution

and when I saw you stranded
on the sand
sweet abalone mouth
away from water

I didn't ask
how your scent
would melt into my fingertips

or how the sound of palm trees
would sigh inside
my breath