These flowers that open by night
unfurl one after the next the minute the sun goes down
from every fertile or uncultivated piece
of black loam
their roots intertwine and extend themselves

These multifarious and dazzling
flowers that open by night
turn their beauty and charm on full force
to entrance the night and entice
the nocturnal snout moths

Fragrant pollen mingled with intoxicating sap
is carried from pistil to pistil
the night-blooming flowers interlock and reproduce
go snuff out the moon and stars
don’t lead the snout moths astray

Not a single blossom
of the year-round night-blooming perennials
is willing to wither
the minute the sun goes down
they blaze out their splendor on the branches of desire