surrounded by lesser blooms
the tulip shows off its stripes
product of genetic defect
compounded by disease
conferring extreme value on its bulbs
those lesser blooms, sturdier
than hothouse flowers
may be inferior in monetary worth
but have sufficient brightness
to cast shadows on the elite blossom
heading the pack, a lone carnation
mimics the colours of the tulip
usurps its prime position, even now
the droop begins in petal and leaf
until still life becomes variegated death
Adrienne Stevenson (she/her) lives in Ottawa, Ontario. A retired forensic scientist and Pushcart-nominated poet, she writes in many genres. Her poetry has appeared in more than forty print and online journals and anthologies in Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia. When not writing, Adrienne tends a large garden, reads voraciously, and procrastinates playing several musical instruments.
