From a little silver foiled packet

spills dreams of coloured petals.

Pressed gently into the soil

by water and sun

and excitement.

Days pass

Morning inspection – nothing.

Days pass

Morning inspection –  green emerges.

Watching,

wishing for bunches of ruffled perfumed silk.

Morning inspection –  only leaves.

green … no petals yet…

perhaps tomorrow….

Weeks melt into memory.

Morning inspection –  a swollen bud

filled with images of sails

and skirts of flowing vibrance,

nectar glistening,

sweet, sweet fragrance.

Anticipation of morning ruffled petals

as the sun peeks to see

Morning inspection – a very fat caterpillar.

Julie Stephenson

I don’t have very many negative moments… this was one of them. Being hopeful and then realising what I was wishing for had been taken away by something so out of my influence.