#fading flower

FADING FLOWER

Here I am, decaying in a vase,

Weeping petals like sickly sickle moons,

Grieving for the life I haven't lived.

You ask what my expectations were?

A summer blooming among thorns,

Being the softness among the sting of the world.

Yet softness can sting very well

All on its own. It can turn the blades

Against itself and weep

Blushing mournful blood moons.

I cry for the life I haven't lived.

And yet I once was a seed in the dark

That knew no moon or star

And I bloomed.

Maybe I am here to learn that even decay

Can defy the wildest expectation.

F. P.

Red, yellow, and orange leaves scattered across the pavement outside the tailoring, floating down from the treetops above. Candace, just finishing the tedious task of storing the spring and summer clothes away, became enamored by the variety of colors painting the outdoors beyond the looking glass. This season was absolutely... gorgeous, unlike the summer where the trees contained a simple vibrancy of green -- there was nothing unlovely about that, but her prerogative of scenery was most definitely the tranquil autumn. As if her mind had teleported elsewhere, the dazed blunette advanced towards the window pane, gazing wondrously into the depths of nature -- placing her fingertips on the transparent glass. Oh, how she craved to be outdoors instead of cooped up inside the store...

Moments passed before the distracted seamstress even regarded the young woman whom was standing at the doorway. How could she not have heard the familiar chime of the bell? How long had she remained there? More importantly, however, was if she witnessed her creepily ogling out the window? Oh dear, the employee’s porcelain cheeks darkened to crimson, how embarrassing and utterly unprofessional... she blankly locked eyes with the girl, an innocent bystander to the scene, before lowering her face in shame and playing with her fingers. Curse the nervous habit.

“Um...” Candace, barely inaudible, spoke up, “hello. I-I’m sorry for that... I usually--.” Afraid of having to explain, she sharply turned and walked deeper into the store where racks of brand new seasonal clothes hung, “Welcome to, um... Sonata Tailoring. We have brand new clothes for the colder weather, so... p-please feel free to browse.”

standing alone isn’t a bad thing…

and you’re aging beautifully.