Sheltered

A small flame burned deep within
Sheltered from the outside world
By hundreds of soft petals.

She breathed small amounts of hope
That kept this flame
Alive for so long.

Trembling inside, this flower
was going to bloom or wilt today.
And she did not know her fate.

Each tick of the clock
Caused her breathing to get heavier
Uneasy inside, as a smile unconsciously was formed on her face.

-Liliya Mazur


Photograph by Magda Indigo