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Dec 31, 2025
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Late Blooms
At a tender age
I brushed against death,
prayed and promised
that if an almighty power
saved me, I would be
a firm believer.
Yet I wavered, reneged,
integrity bartered away,
guilt hidden, lodged
like a kidney stone.
Today my hardscrabble
piety was inspired
by a hellebore's crown
of white blossoms,
delicate stems swayed
by heavy storm winds,
determined
to stay the course...
unbent
— Miriam Louis, Dec 31, 2025
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Editing Stage: Not actively editing
Critiques
Lavender
4 months 3 weeks ago
Late Blooms
Hello, Miriam,
Wonderful imagery - I can see the graceful hellebore crowns struggling, yet surviving. I also feel the intensity of the simile describing guilt like a lodged kidney stone - incredibly painful.
Very strong interpretation of the contest theme.
Thank you!
L