A flower smiled at me
as I was walking by,
distracted by my thoughts, and cares,
all unaware that here
within my reach
there was this stunning power:
beauty in a broken world.

I might have missed it in my rush,
but it stood tall and proud
it’s glowing, sun-rimmed, dark-eyed face
on level with my own
and beckoned me to stop
and gaze
and take a breath of joy.

And as I stood, and gazed, and breathed
— for this sweet moment full-aware —
the flower swayed and waved it’s salutation
moving in the wind
of passing cars
(which, doubtless, burned the flower
with their breath of noxious gas
that over-heats the life of growing, greening things).

But still the flower danced
and in that dance
it tugged the corners of my mouth
to smile back.