Magnolia cloud

A woman in her yard
in a cloud of magnolia,
holding a mug of tea.
Her cheeks inflammatory
as she inches closer to the blooms,
hoping for immunity from human form.

It's a hopeless case and she knows it
but persists in her desire to assume
protective colouring
bleed out of shape, waiting
for the lacework of branches
the giant flowers to take her in.

She nods at me, embarrassed.
I savour her blush.