My child self
Looks out to the world
To see the dancing colors
Linger across her eyes

A sweet smile grows
Carving a way through her lips
“How pretty” she whispers
As she intakes the scene

Stumbling oversized gumboots
She wonders over to the flowers
Where the bumble bee tumbles
Across the petals with fuzzy rumps

S h e s t a r e s i n g l e e

Little does she know that the buzz
Can cause a painful prick
But onwards she smiles
Unknowing

Amongst the nature tassels
High above holds a crimson contrast
An illuminating beacon
Catches her attention

With a little gasp
She outstretches her arm

With a little gasp
She stands on her tiptoes

With a little gasp
She outlines the petals with one finger

With a little gasp
She clasps it all in her hand

With a gasp
She falls

On the ground she clutches
Hand to eyes
Blood dribbles down
Pit-pat to the ground

S h e s t a r e s, l o s t

“Why Beautiful Rose, why?”
Strewn with betrayal
“I only wanted to see your beauty”
Infected by naivety

My child self
Looks out to the world
Her little spark lost in the reflection of my eyes
Staring out to the remaining grey

A mean scowl grows
Carving a way through her lips
“How ugly” she whispers
As she intakes the tragedy