Tiny Bud

      for Marcy

tiny bud
tiny hopeful one
yearning

yearning to sprout
roots and reach down
into the damp cold
of the earth

to grow

grow where nothing
should

tiny bud
tiny forgotten one
searching

searching for a
chance to break
free of the confines
of soil

to dream

dream of what
could be

tiny bud
tiny scared one
reaching

reaching upward to
the heavens with
open arms and
hopeful heart

to find

find a place that is
safe

tiny bud
tiny lonely one
growing

growing amidst the
weeds and vines and
learning that to
live is

to know

know why love
hurts

- Stephen Brodie