A budded rose stem
On thin branch in course sand
It shrinks under sun
A gingham maid pours water
Rushing down onto the crown
Glass beads dot petals
Dripping into the puddle
The green leaves shimmer
Morning sun climbs high
Drying the single red bud
The flower stem wilts
Petals droop down in distress
Nightfall sunsets relief
Gingham maid retrieves the pail
Spray dances around brown root
Desert sun turns hot
Too much for English flower
The thin stem turns orange
The gingham maid pours water
Much too late to save it
The desert returns to sand
As it should.
© 2017 – 2018, Michael Shawn Sommermeyer. All rights reserved.
