Petal-less

taken:
day five
06.25.2013

Today I was captivated by this petal-less poppy. It's one that I had on my kitchen windowsill that I shared recently here. It dropped all of it's petals a day or two ago but I still kept it on my windowsill. I wasn't ready to let it go.

Today I brought the vase outside in the yard so I could take some photos of it and have a pretty green background. I snapped and snapped and snapped away, as if I were photographing a lovely petal-filled rose. 

The wind shifted and twisted it which gave me different angles to admire it from. Then I reminded myself that this was a flower that's missing all of it's petals, on it's last breath, soon turning brittle and dry. But for some reason, I still found it so exquisite and attractive, worthy of observing it's beauty. 

Have you ever felt petal-less? I have. All too often, in fact. It just occurred to me that in those moments, I wish I could treat myself the way I treated this poppy, with admiration and dignity, not comparing it to what it once was, but rather relishing in what it is now. An interesting analogy to think about in those times when feelings of defeat and weakness set in. If nothing else, it's something to remember and strive for. I would love to say farewell to those in-adequate feelings forever!