Given sunlight, still I have not flourished 

Missing now that I should but feel nourished 

Making naught that’s worthy being cherished

Save inner work that’s never been renowned.

Frequent falling short awaited greatness 

Brilliance manifests itself with slowness 

Watchers feel dismay, they see no progress

Because it’s with much patience fruits abound.

Orchid sowing, dandelion growing 

Means that soil was incorrect for toiling. 

Often life is effort unrewarding 

Savants unrecognized are all around. 

Blossom beautifully, genius can do 

Should it have the nurture life will give few 

Where my buds were cut begins to accrue 

I’m wreathed, lush, and grow in words profound. 

Water sacred ink through root-like hands mine 

Curl then letters, verses, sweetest rhymed line 

Leaf of paper filled by quiet moon’s shine 

Devotion can release what fear kept bound. 

Felled trees quake their forests with their powers 

Seen or secret, bloom the nighttime flowers 

All potential grows when fed enough hours: 

But minds, like gardens, thrive best in good ground.