When the Orchid Queen has a New Year’s Eve party,

all the orchids arrive in their delicate finery

to dance through the kingdom warmed under the glass.

 

Skirts of velvet or satin,

with stripes, spots or splash marks.

Each twirls through the branches to greet other beauties.

All colors so vibrant, with intricate markings.

The tiniest of orchids perched high to observe them

as colors of royalty parade through the rooms.

Showy slippers and ruffles

and streamers

and bonnets.

Spots of brilliance revolving around every tree.

What was she wearing you ask of the Queen?

She rang in Two Thousand and Eighteen in green.

FLOWER   2018