Persephone’s Uncut Peonies

After a pomegranate stained winter…

April

The soaked soil sings with rejoice,
Green grass, sputtering sparrows, and decorous daffodils are first to pay homage.

Peak potential, Globular bulbs bud from fine stems. Like a decadent treat wrapped in colorful foil. Slowly peeling to reveal petals as delicate and fragrant as babies skin.

May

Fully bloomed blossoms burst. Open petals catching raindrops. Feasting bees weigh down their stems to arcs. Already fleeting.

June

Drowning in its own sickly sweet sap Fermenting under the unforgiving sun. Now a bowed mound of pulp, waiting to be squeezed. Intoxicated by its own liquor.

Now,

Begging to be released, unable to drop from the drooping stem.

Poisoned Peonies.