I was being overly dramatic that day

and no one noticed.

perhaps that is why I locked myself into a field of flowers

that started wilting as soon as I set foot there

the bear trudged around

beyond the door

living my life

its drooping eyes hooded

blind to my dead petals

the light

white and raw

sliding across the bouquet I’ve gathered

the stems fall to my feet

thorns on my toes

the dragonfly with red eyes

flies away from behind my ears

leaving me while the spines scream into my floor

their throats inflamed

peeling my shell

I’m exposed.

but this is better, isn’t it?

I leave this grassland

to join The Bear again.