Pink Patience

from the May 17, 2007 edition

Pink Patience

Thousands of tiny pink petals,
tucked in teardrop shapes,
clustered like stars,
wait for the sun
to unfold them
one by one
like an infant's curled fingers.

Pink blossoms,
paused in pink cocoons
secure of the day
they'll burst open and fly.

Standing here,
my eyes hang
on these pregnant stems,
as I inhale pink patience –
that elusive fragrance,
so attractive in others
yet often too fragile
to cling to me.