Variegated
surrounded by lesser blooms the tulip shows off its stripes product of genetic defect compounded by disease conferring extreme value on its bulbs
those lesser blooms, sturdier than hothouse flowers may be inferior in monetary worth but have sufficient brightness to cast shadows on the elite blossom
heading the pack, a lone carnation mimics the colours of the tulip usurps its prime position, even now the droop begins in petal and leaf until still life becomes variegated death
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Adrienne Stevenson
Adrienne Stevenson (she/her) lives in Ottawa, Ontario. A retired forensic scientist and Pushcart-nominated poet, she writes in many genres. Her poetry has appeared in more than forty print and online journals and anthologies in Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia. When not writing, Adrienne tends a large garden, reads voraciously, and procrastinates playing several musical instruments.