triacanthos

[for Brenda]

She says-
Can I share
Something
With you?
Can you
See my
Shadow?

He nods. 

Just because I 
Am smiling
It does not
Mean that
I am happy. 

Stunned,
He admits
To himself-
But that glow,
A honeyed warmth,
I crave it. 

She continues- 
There are times 
I want to show 
My seasons 
My delicacy 
My growth. 
More than 
My silhouette. 

That stung 
a bit.
There are 
thorns here
Sometimes. 
Not a warning.
Not as threat. 
A fact