Ray Ball

SEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN DETERMINING SPECIES OF FLOWERS

Are hydrangeas not water’s Platonic form?

Can you withstand drought and dryness 
like the rock rose?

When you see deer descend to browse
the leaves of sweet bay magnolia, do you
remember your own December scarcity?

Who would you wish to suck the prick
on your finger caused by bracts?
The nodding thistle revealing just a pop
of purple amidst its thorny body.

Why is it the false foxglove opens wide
its own throat for the biggest bumble bees
while your own lips seal during a mild June?

A prairie plant like the firewheel prefers full sun, 
does it not?

How long will you last in the dark?

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RAY BALL CURRENTLY LIVES ON THE LAND OF THE DENA’INA, WHERE SHE WORKS AS A HISTORY PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE. SHE IS THE AUTHOR OF TWO HISTORY BOOKS AND TWO CHAPBOOKS OF
POETRY, *TITHE OF SALT *(LOUISIANA LITERATURE, 2019) AND *LARARIUM *(VARIANT LIT, 2020). HER POEMS HAVE APPEARED IN NUMEROUS JOURNALS, INCLUDING *DESCANT, GLASS*, *ORANGE BLOSSOM REVIEW, *AND *WACCAMAW*. RAY HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS FOR PUSHCART AND BEEN A BEST OF THE NET FINALIST. SHE IS SENIOR EDITOR AT *COFFIN BELL *AND ASSISTANT EDITOR *JUKE JOINT.* YOU CAN FIND HER
ON TWITTER @PROFESSORBALL.