Petal by petal

The orchid's butterfly leaves

are falling,

but not before

they wither and dry.

I thought I had

given it just enough,

not too much,

to see it thrive.

I doused it,

every seven to ten days,

drained it quickly

so the roots wouldn't rot.

Precisely placed it

in just enough light.

Fertilized it a little.

Sang to it. Loved its brightness.

But somehow it all

wasn't enough,

and now it's dying,

petal by petal.

Bloom by bloom,

it falls apart.

Tomorrow, or the next day,

it will be gone.