he had sought
the woman
with wildflowers in her hair
for so long
he nearly missed the fact
that she
is the wildflower herself

they say something
of missing the forest
for the trees
he saw the flowers
but nearly missed her
lounging
among the blooms

he dreamt
of plucking her gently
by the stem
taking her home
to sit in a vase
adoring her beauty
for himself alone

yet he stopped
knowing deep inside
the selfishness of the act
of depriving the world
of her wonder
so instead
he just sat and stared

he found her
after giving up hope
that she ever existed
in that moment
of divine clarity
he understood
the meaning of love

now he returns
every morning
gently watering her roots
trying to learn
to give
instead of his instinct
to only take