Croci spring to life purple and white
in early spring but last only for a day
or two or a few — not many.

Daffodils with bursts of beautiful yellow
come early on and last only for a day or
two or a few — not many.

Japanese Irises are purple too and come
a little later on and last only
for a day or two or a few —
not many.

So, too, with the bright orange Tiger Lilies,
which come around the fourth of July but
only stay for a day or two or a few —
not many.

Butterfly Bush blooms will entice
the butterflies to fly around and
around and around only for a day or
two or a few — not many.

Mid to late summer the Hosta will
host a festival of festive delights
but only for a day or two or a few —
not many.

Sedum seem reluctant to bloom but
come fall they favor us with various
shades of pink but only for a day or two
or a few — not many.

In Arizona, there are cacti that bloom
not for a few or even two but only for a
day.

Why do beautiful flowers fade so fast?
Why does nature please and tease?
Is it to tell us that nothing lasts?
So, be mindful; life happens fast
and then is past.

(Two of my learned friends sent these Latin quotes
concerning this poem: memento mori and
sic transit gloria mundi.

And back at them in Spanish: Muchas gracias, Senors Berbiglia y Eggebeen.)