My Life's Stem Was Cut
My life’s stem was cut, But quickly, lovingly I was lifted up, I heard the rush of the tap And I was set in water In the blue vase, beautiful In lip and curve, And here I am Opening one petal As the tea cools. I wait while the sun moves And the bees finish their dancing, I know I am dying But why not keep flowering As long as I can From my cut stem? Helen Dunmore