Delicate
The flower
That is man
With age a
Drying crease
Wrinkles cross
Exposing
A grand
Fragility —
A few days
Without more
Water and
Severe
Consequences
Will prevail —
Never to
Hold the same
Shape again
The vase —
Retainer of
remainders
The days count-
ed by fall-
en petals
Beautiful
Unto the
Very last
Though fragrance
Gone and all
Glory past
What remains
Is the same
Shadow’s cast
Through the light
On the sill
Calm and still.