these gawdy daughters
dressed in petals on fire
are not your typical
blue violet shy daffodil
or rosy posy type
more like yellow starlets
fielding a fashion show
bobbing for attention
in a heads-high party
for the plant-paparazzi
the gawkers the curious
the lucky tourists and oh
on such a beautiful day
even me who approaches
one face to face
who sizes me up and says
I’ll give you some tips on posing
presentation and public flattery
if you tell me how you grew
two stems that allow you to
walk away from this boring party