It's centuries of deterioration
not just by black era defined
humanity to blame
whatever place and time

In the grime if someone
you discover despite
unaffected by the world's deadly spite
broiling in his sorrow
yet happy inside
stop and cherish
for he defines
a lotus's ilk
ascending from the dirt
but remaining pure
defying its birth

Trust if there is one
there might be more
but forever wary
of impending extinction
so if you honor them
behold the few left
before the lotus ousts
and they mold into the
                                                        ­                                           rest.