i never liked you.

simple, but also smug.

you stand tall and defiant
believing in your beauty
even when i and others, surely
joke that you’re the weed of roses

no one wants you in a bouquet.

you don’t scream “love” to anyone.

or “thank you”, or “i’m sorry”.

maybe that’s why i never liked you.

you were always more sure
of yourself than I was,
you were never afraid to rise

you grew tall and strong,
keeping your secret beauty
closed inside your bud

and by the time you have opened
yourself to the world
you’ve already been enjoyed

Another one from Audrey Gidman’s collection of poetry prompts for June.