she remains hidden and alone

unexplored gold

the color of a budding marigold

aglow like a vivid citrine gemstone,

then endures a metamorphosis

she sheds like a sweet reptilian

as if her gild was lulled off by Morpheus

divulging a fluid fleshy vermilion,

just as sudden as she bloomed came her end

leaving behind her wrinkled apricot rind