Keeping Up Appearances
glass eyes shattering
moonlight glow upon this case
withered
a shallow stem
drained of refreshment –
I am parched
green leaves curl
soaking the sun
yet,
my flowers do bloom
image of flourishing,
listen closely-
insides cough,
quietly
silently
drowning in sand
swimming in air,
my petals –
delicate
and beautiful as they are,
flame vibrancy
though skeleton is hollow
digging roots to stand
staying stable,
strong in this dry land
keeping pretty
watching my petals fall
one by one
set in a vase –
forced to call home
a lone flower
swallowed by a bushel,
of cracks
stretching empty roots,
grasping for air,
and those who look on
still see my colorful petals,
spread wide –
to fall
in silence
