Tom T. Hall
Second Handed Flowers
[Verse 1]
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
[Verse 2]
Times will change and towns will change, but there I was alone
When suddenly I wondered, would Susie be at home?
So with the flowers in my hand, I walked toward her gate
Someone touched me on the arm and said, "You'll have to wait"
[Verse 3]
Then I noticed there were people standing in a 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
[Verse 4]
When I walked into her room, I felt a 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
[Verse 5]
I handed her the flowers and she gently kissed my hand
She said, "Don't be embarrassed, 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 flowers"