they live so briefly
but rise so vibrantly
from an earth that grips them
inside its belly
like a womb grips its fetus
an earth that clutches them
with forceful might
delivers them the food of life
then stifles them
ever so swiftly
still they reach for the sun
for the sky
and secretly
they reach for the stars
that pierce the night
for the moon that hangs
pregnant with mystery
they reach like the lustful arms
of a yearning lover
before the naked beauty
of his immortal love
and i can’t help but reach back
and hold their pained vulnerability
between my adoring fingers
and beam at their beauty
so flighty
so sudden
so free
