
Delicate Flower, She Be
You see her walking down the street
Purpose in her eyes
Meaning in her walk
Strut like you have never seen
Delicate flower, she be
Wearing her armor of protection
The look in her eyes lets you know
Back up or I will cut you
A face that tells you she means business
She ain't here for the games
Delicate flower, she be
Like the weeds that grow in your garden
The dandelions that grow in the empty lot on the corner
Growing in between the cracks in the ground
She rises up
Delicate flower, she be
Having the nerve to go where you wouldn't expect
She stands tall and firm
There are years that ask questions and years that answer
Looking at her reveals both; question and answer
Delicate flower, she be
Hard pavement of the concrete
Matches the hard look on her face
Meeting your gaze she stares back
Not a smile anywhere to be found
Delicate flower, she be
Inside she is just waiting for someone
Someone that sees her and brings out the smile
Simultaneously holding her delicately and firmly
In full bloom as delicate as can be
Delicate flower, she be
Delicate Flower, She Be is written in response to the W3 Prompt #148: Wea’ve Written Weekly. Violet Lentz asks us to write about elements of the human condition and include at least 1 of 3 quotes in her guidelines.
Human condition elements I wrote about are emotions, social interaction, resilience and growth. How people can look so hardened on the outside but are really loving and kind on the inside. A smile is just bursting, waiting to come out at the right circumstance.
The quote I chose is by Zora Neale Hurston, “there are years that ask questions and years that answer.”
Image credit: by Josch13 from Pixabay
As always, thank you for reading!
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21 replies on “Delicate Flower, She Be”
hi, O’Nika
Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3, hosted by our beloved Sally, is now live:
https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/03/12/w3-prompt-150-weave-written-weekly/
Enjoy
Much love,
David
David, thank you!
*hug*
hi, O’Nika
Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3, hosted by our beloved Murisopsis, is now live:
https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/03/05/w3-prompt-149-weave-written-weekly/
Enjoy
Much love,
David
Thank you, David! I will check it out.

Wow, Excellent !
Thank you so much, Sandy!


O’Nika, your poem beautifully contrasts strength and vulnerability. The quote adds depth to her journey of growth.
Much love,
David
David, thank you so much! I was trying to strike that balance between the two.

The refrain is both descriptive and a little ironic as you juxtapose her appearance with her emotional state! Well done!
I appreciate your kind words! Thank you! I was trying to also prove the point of not judging a book by its cover. People are not always how we “judge” them from outward appearance.

Fantastic poem, O’Nika!
Yvette M Calleiro
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Yvette!
This was brilliantly told. I can totally relate to the woman you describe here.
Violet, I appreciate it! Thank you for the kind words!

This was beautiful like the flower you are O’NIKA
Aaww, thank you so much, Louis! I appreciate you!

An empowering poem.
Sadje, thank you friend! I appreciate your kindness!

You’re most welcome