Broken Promise

An unopened bud

A leaf left unfurled

A loss of great beauty

To a beckoning world

Withered by fear

From memories and pain

Won’t risk rejection

Shame and disdain

Unrealized potential

Hidden deep in a ball

They suffer in silence

A broken promise to all

Kindness can open

Closed buds over time

Heal shattered hearts

And help fearful minds

A bud can be opened

By the love of a friend

Who believes in their dreams

So their spirit can mend

Sometimes it takes

The smallest of sparks

A word to encourage

Those alone in the dark

Nurturing love

Can go a long way

To help beautiful petals

Feel the light of each day

Bask in the glory

Of knowing they dared

Make the world better

By the beauty they shared

Often late bloomers

Are most lovely of all

As their beauty is deeper

From their time in the ball