March 17, 2010: Story Poem

I open my eyes in the darkness.
Above me, the smallest glimpse
of light. I want to drink in
that light, to bask in its warmth.
I push upwards, but the darkness
clings fast. I refuse to panic,
to give up. I use all of my strength
to claw, push, squirm, and wiggle
my way to the surface. So close,
so tired. With one final burst
of all my energy, I emerge from
the cracks in the pavement, shake
off the mud, and spread my petals.