A Bunch of Tulips

How their leaves creak
protesting, as I fit them into the vase–
the flowers holding prim
yet one or two, resisting
flop sideways
heads nodding
entwined

Next day they explode
like schoolchildren on a Friday
rushing out of doors
heading off home
shedding jackets
tossing backpacks
& scarves
crazy-free, falling
all over themselves
mouths open
drinking in joy
& who am I to tell them
this joy won’t last?

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