Bougainvillea

This Spring I noticed while looking out into the garden from my kitchen window The Bougainvillea tree in a shade of bright beautiful pink Attracting birds, bees and butterflies Braving the strong winds of the cloudy sea-sky Standing so pretty And I wondered What if I were a Bougainvillea So common, so poignant Yet so attractive to those who understand my worth Every beautiful creation of nature must come with thorns Just like a human being must come with imperfections Am I dreaming of a long life filled with shades of pink? Am I that Bougainvillea that is sometimes ignored I am not a Bougainvillea, but, I want to be.