At the lake edge
spike-tipped grass
stands to attention.
Heedless of others' beauty
it exults in the strength
of its own life's force.

On the lake
green algae
scums across the water.
Careless of all else
it obeys the imperative
of its own life's need.

Beyond the lake
a pulled flower head
sprawls along the muddied path,
powerless in the premature death
of the frail and docile beauty
that was its spent life's gift.