Mapplethorpe’s Orchids, by Mike James

Mapplethorpe’s Orchids 

The orchids are always open
Are they always saying yes?
Yes is hard
Isn’t an invitation
An invitation is easy
Yes begins and begins
There’s no clear map for yes

Mike James

Mike James makes his home outside Nashville, Tennessee and has published widely. His many poetry collections include: Red Dirt Souvenir Shop (Analog Submissions), Journeyman’s Suitcase (Luchador), Parades(Alien Buddha), Jumping Drawbridges in Technicolor (Blue Horse), First-Hand Accounts from Made-Up Places (Stubborn Mule), Crows in the Jukebox (Bottom Dog), My Favorite Houseguest (FutureCycle), and Peddler’s Blues (Main Street Rag.)