Be young
they told her

still as a silent clock
a thin paper slipping to the floor

time was running out, but no,
stay young, they said

a million cherry blossom
uprooting themselves inside her

spilling over, the tide was turning
the wind blew her hair across her face

she dutifully watered her flowers
wilting, drooping, dying

she wished
she wished they were stronger

being young meant she never learned
about the Poison