Flowers Poem by Jim Yerman

There was a time across this land…with every flower in bloom
When the Earth was witness to their blended beauty…and inhaled their sweep perfume.
Stretching across her land and seas…to every distant isle…
In her contentment, all the Earth could do…was look around…and smile.

There was a time across this land…not so long ago
When the earth would watch as every flower helped every other flower grow.
And seeing so much selfless giving…so much reciprocity…
The Earth felt only joy…only happiness and glee.

Until one day the Earth noticed some flowers were distressed…
As other flowers thought themselves more beautiful…and more important than the rest.
Watching how some of her flowers would belittle…and put other flowers down…
The smile the Earth had worn for a thousand years…turned into a frown.

For the Earth knew once flowers begin to think that way…once that line is crossed
The garden she planted is not the same garden…it's beauty…has been lost.
The Earth will continue to provide sun and rain for her flowers
it is her nature to keep trying…
but, as she watches her flowers at war with one another…she cannot stop her crying.

But the Earth is an eternal optimist…
she knows for her to return to joy and happiness and glee
The flowers must return to a life of selfless giving and reciprocity…

For the Earth knows a secret…she's carried since to the flowers she gave birth….
Unless the flowers work and blend together…there will be no flowers left on Earth.