Second Handed Flowers - Tom T. Hall

I was working in Miami for a day or two

I decided I’d look up a girl that I once knew

I bought some flowers and went to see a girl I used to know

The lady at her door said she had married long ago.

Times will change and towns will change there I was alone

And suddenly I wondered would Susie be at home

So with some flowers in my hand I walked toward her gate

Someone touched me on the arm and said you’ll have to wait.

Then I noticed there were people standing in the line

Some of them were holding pretty flowers just like mine

They explained that Susie had been in an awful crash

The doctors said that she had just a little while to last.

When I walked into her room I felt the sense of shame

But I heard Susie whisper I’m awfully glad you came

She had been the girl that I had always gone to see

When someone that I cared for had been untrue to me.

I handed her the flowers and she gently kissed my hand

She said don’t be embarased for you know I understand

I said goodbye and as I bent to kiss her fevered brow

I heard her whisper thank you for the second handed flower