Burgeoning

Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page.

Burgeoning

By Su Shafer

How many petals are in a peony?

There’s no way to tell from the bud – a closed hand

          holding more than you can imagine.

They unfold slowly, the way a smile spreads

          before a secret is told.

Each petal

          a curled finger uncurling

          an alluring promise of beauty to come

          a whisper – just wait, just wait…

And then suddenly

It blooms

Su Shafer is a creative crafter, fabricating bits of writing in poetry and short stories, and generating characters that appear in paintings and sit on various bookshelves and coffee tables.