May - June - July 2021
Dipped in blood, the spear-shaped bud breaks open;
deep red florets force their way up and out,
unfolding an array of trumpets that herald sun, shade and rain;
through shades of candyfloss and salmon pink,
over days and nights, the florets fade to almost white.
Still fringed in pink, some florets fall, the herald falters;
delicate petals turn to papery cream and brown;
no need now to attract insects to the precious pollen;
but among distorted anthers and blackened stigmas,
green fruits ripen and spear-shaped leaves grow through.
