Flowers Are Free

Not for the flowers the selfie
although they turn and face the sun
petals unfurled, illuminated faces
radiant, putting on their best show
they flicker in the late spring breeze
slender, perfect green stalks
flex without muscle
taut without airbrush.

It almost looks as if they call
'take my picture,
the sun is behind you,
the pose is perfect'.

Soon, their petals loosen,
the wind catches, strips
layers one by one until naked.
But there is no sadness, nor
fear of losing youth, just
papery seed pods posting
hope to the wider world,
perfect copies on the wind.

Flowers are free.