Gracie'shands -
shedding skin
like a snake in an oasis.
She picks tulips
ofmarmalade petals
that grow in toastedsand.
          - Her fingeris like a vermilion volcano.

Through dirt -
Gracie's fingersscavenge
like worms in foreign places.
She plants seeds in
soil thatcatches
the sun in itschasms.
          - Acrimson color surfaces like an explosion

Gracie's hands
are ivorywhite
with dew and dirt
like a drained puddle.
She waters theground
and waits for asign.
          - Lava likea stoplight crosses her knuckle.

A bitter breeze
batters littleleaves
as she plucks dandelions
that never blow away.
She strangles theweeds
that grow likethorns,
          - But itwas the rose that pricked her finger.