Second Handed Flowers by 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 the 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 a line
And some of them were holding pretty flowers just like mine
They explained that susie had been in an awful crash
Doctors said that she had just a little while to last

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

I handed her the flowers and she gently kissed my hand
She said, "don't be embarrassed; 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."