Fainting Lilium

by Ruby Gillman-Koski

A gentle lily,

Wilting slowly.

Why did it sprout?

Why does it stretch towards the sky,

Hoping for a sun that never comes?

Why does it hope,

Why does it matter?

Why does its very existence mean something of value, of importance?

Who is there to see the lily,

In its full bloom,

Who is there to see it,

When it’s glory the sun fully consumes.

Who was there when the lily was born,

When it stretched into the sky,

Expanding into endless space like a shuttle to the stars?

Image credit: Tsuyoshi Kozu on Unsplash

Who would care if it died,

Who would care if it disappeared?

Why does this lily, so fragile,

Still hold onto the light of day,

Clinging to the little that it has?

Can I envy that lily?

So serene yet strong,

So delicate but tough,

It’s given up so much,

To live for so little,

Sometimes I wish I could too.

It sees more than I ever could,

But it encourages me to hope.

***

Ruby Gillman-Koski is a young author working on expressing her feelings through her writing. Currently she’s only branched out through poems, but hopes to start writing short stories and novels. She’s very excited to have her work published through redrosethorns, and hopes you enjoy her poem!