Delayed Gratification

After a season

of guts wrapped tight

against storms,

quivering

at the end of your stalk,

refusing opening

because when you do

everyone will notice

the sickly-sweet wonder of you,

now you can feel the sun,

but still you wait

for the ants

to help with your blooming.

For Grace’s prompt to the Real Toads: Making a Heart Out of Wild Plants