Once
I spoke the language of the flowers

Once I understood each word the caterpillar said

Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starling

And shared a conversation with the housefly
in my bed

Once I heard and answered all the questions
of the crickets

And joined the crying of each falling dying
flake of snow

Once I spoke the language of the flowers

How did it go?
How did it go?

-Shel Silverstein