wilted

a purple flower
bracing itself against the wind,
as a storm is approaching.
it blows closer,
the stem stiffens--
strong, dashing,
ignorant, helpless.
the winds change;
the flower is left free,
in peace,
alone.

without the crush of the storm,
it stands.
as the sun comes out
it wilts,
without the water of the storm.
color fades and beauty dies,
and roots go deep--
searching,
for there is nothing
above but safety,
in the desert,
alone.

"So Elijah did as the Lord had told him and camped beside Kerith Brook. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land."
I Kings 17:5-7