Discretion Is the Better Part of Valour

DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOUR The river has run dry, its bed is empty sand. Across the flower carpet’s dim and dusty land Penstemon and brave little Brittlebush, Expecting an inundation, stretch in a rush - Spreading petals and leaves which their vast Tapestry of color and life weaves - but they fast Revert to survival tactics and retract petals in fear Of the drought of the Sonoran summer each year. ...................................................... Note The poem’s title is taken from Shakespeare’s HENRY IV PART ONE