The Poinsettia and the Easter Lily

by Mary Higgins

They sat on the window sill, side by side.

one loved the sun, the other from it shied.

One being red, the other was white

one sat from December, night after night.

From two different worlds, they arrived at my door

each one wrapped in its season’s decor.

Poinsettia and lily, next to each other

carefully cared for by my mother.

Just seeing the two intrigued everyone

wedged between ivy in bright morning sun.

Lending color and cheer to a bare sitting room

and chasing away, the rain’s gray and gloom.

Only one would survive a summer sky to see

the other, wither, remembered by you and me

So which would it be that would fade first from sight?

I expected the red, turns out, ‘twas the white.

all rights reserved Ⓒ Mary Higgins 2016