once a year she puts on this
a colorful hat of gaudiness
strikes a pose and prances about
takes her times then waltzes out

others may make light of her
remark upon her mix of color
groan about her funny smell
just one glance and wardrobes swell

I wonder does she look this way
as a reminder to us
to take each day
from only living to bursting life
blazing with color burning light

she prances out for all to see
blazing twirling colorfully
just as quickly she is gone
leaves behind a world forlorn
small bits of her dance with the wind
until she can return again

09/06/2009