Bloom

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
Haste not, young bud; do not
Heed the call of others
For you are but an infant.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
As you move outwards and
Open your new eyes,
Others are on the verge of bursting.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
Peeping out of your age
Watch the others begin to bloom
Escaping their little-formed petal-cage.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
Beaten and whacked by the merciless Sun,
With the cruel wind and long wait
For praise, they begin to curl in.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
And they roll inwards
Rusted and wasted- in a group,
They had no value at all.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
And you begin to open up.
Sending out your helpful hands,
Reaching out to all.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
The wilted roses look up to you-
Even as their heads begin to fall
Even as their mask begins to crack.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
And you are now a flower;
Petals that collect dew
And raindrops in a shower.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
You open up to all
The sun warms you, but the
Others begin to fall

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
Now you are lonely;
But ah! What a sweet feeling
And what a lovely loner you are!

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
And you age slowly with time;
A little energy sapped away-
But you stand like the pine.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
You mourn for your sisters
Who gave away too early--
So similar, yet so different...

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
Do not be impatient!
Don't swim against the stream of time
And don't try to race it.

Bloom slowly, bloom gracefully-
Lovely bud, or innocent child-
So when you reach your peak
You will be the cynosure of all eyes.

-Nicky Eira

Started-27th March '09
Completed- 7:50 PM, 12th July '09