Sometimes I see all these buds
and drying leaves
and petals with tips curled inwards
and I want to be the warm soil,
lush rain,
hot loving sun
so that everyone I greet
can flourish,
so that the blooming
can bring joy to all of us.
This secret embrace
of strangers
and the flowers
entwined with my own stem
has pure intent
and deep tenderness.
Braver still
to be the sun
and warm lush
without hope for any change,
trusting in the thrive
I will never see.