I have been hiding, waiting, unsure
my petals wrapped tightly about
seeking courage to show beauty
to open for critique by all that see
protecting myself from blooming
questioning all I might become
at the expense of what I am
I now lay out the face
of what I have become
for all to see and compare
grateful for the grace I share
with comfort in what i’ve become
seeking acceptance of all to come
as I lie in display the delicate, the tender, the bloom.