Moonflower Dress by Sandy Benitez

If you must know,
I chose the flouncy white, cotton dress
from the weathered, antique wardrobe
that sits in the corner of the room
beneath floating butterflies and fairies.

Tonight, I will wear it to the night garden tea party,
invitation only, that I received,
tied around an owl’s leg,
its creamy, white feathers fluttering
around my head like angel wings.

I will wear a moonstone necklace, earrings,
and ring to resemble the glowing moon.
And when I walk down the courtyard
towards the immaculately pruned garden,
statue heads and human heads will turn.

One twirl, maybe two should do,
a transformation more beguiling
than what a witch could conjure with her potions.
I will become a moonflower,
A flower that only blooms at night.

Sandy Benitez writes lyrical poetry and fiction.  She has fond memories of growing up in Germany where she enjoyed playing in the woods behind her home which contributed to her love of fairy tales, magical realism, and the paranormal.