Short Lives

Each daylily blossom lasts a day,
but for that one day
brings joy and appreciation
to a world of fears.

A day-long bloom has no time
for anger, jealousy or hate,
nor competition
for recognition, reward and renown;

has no way to know its own beauty,
neither eyes nor mirrors
to achieve a personal evaluation,
so no room for pride.

It simply blooms,
a significant demonstration
in the use of time
absent loss and the costs of failure.