Crushed

Whenever you find that yourself unapologetic,

Step on a flower.

Feel the sap bleed into your soles

And listen to the earth silently weep

For its loss.

How easily we wreak havoc

On the ingenuous.

How easily we forget

The raw aching of wounds
which brings us to our knees

and leave us wary

Maybe the crushed petals will teach you

To be more careful.

Maybe the hole in the soil where beauty had once grown

Will tear a rift of remorse

Within you.

JULIE CHEN