Althea

Morning light bleeds color into the smoky night The orb of dawn seeps out from behind the hills Pieces at a time until made perfect at the crest of a knoll. Awakened in a mound of earth is a withered flower Stroked back to life by golden fingers Petals soft and unsure Coaxed open by moist daylight’s song. Endless is its name, endless is its beauty A smile tender and fanned about a crimson heart. Althea is a blossom that rises with the sun Is put to sleep when the white moon appears Because every day is a new life it does not fear death. ___ FYI: The rose of Althea, or 'Hibiscus Syriacus', is called 'mugunghwa' in Korean. 'Mugung' means 'endless', 'hwa' means 'flower'. It is the national flower of South Korea.