Furled

One orchid blossom opens; The rest stay tightly furled. Yet isn’t that the way that life Unfolds within the world? The possibles may tease us So we watch and wait and hope As we try to gain some purchase Up our lifespan’s slip’ry slope. The orchid by the window, Water, air and sunshine-fed, Still refuses to release its buds To let the petals spread. Some seeming opportunities, Though close enough to snatch, May exist to merely disappoint, Like eggs that never hatch.